Education remains one of the strongest tools for shaping the future of any society, especially among young people. It equips individuals with knowledge and skills, promotes good decision-making, and helps build a responsible society. This is why Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, is placing serious focus on improving access to quality education and financial literacy for Nigerians, particularly the youth.
Wema Bank, which has been operating for over 80 years, continues to support communities with initiatives that align with its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) pillars. These include Education, Economic Empowerment, Finance, Environment, and Health. The bank’s efforts are also tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 4 – Quality Education.
As part of its approach to improving education, Wema Bank is providing support in three major areas: formal education, entrepreneurial education, and creative education. The bank believes that empowering Nigerians through different forms of learning will help them become more productive and self-reliant. While creative education helps people develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the entrepreneurial side equips them to start and grow their own businesses. But Wema Bank has not ignored the importance of formal education either.
Since 2018, Wema Bank has empowered over 1.5 million Nigerian students through various education-focused programmes. This includes access to finance for schools, mentorship for students, book donations, vision board creation sessions, and leadership training. These programmes are mostly carried out in primary and secondary schools across the country.
Recently, Wema Bank organised a special mentorship session at Eko Akete Senior Grammar School in Lagos. The programme focused on Leadership and Responsible Citizenship and was aimed at helping students become future leaders with the right mindset. The session reached 500 students who participated actively in group discussions and shared their views on responsible leadership.
The mentorship was led by top Wema Bank staff including Mr. Oluwole Esomojumi (Chief Audit Executive), Mrs. Abimbola Agbejule (Head, Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility), and Mrs. Oluwakemi Adeyemi (Head, Operational Risk Management). They shared their experiences and encouraged the students to make wise decisions today to shape their future.
According to Mrs. Agbejule, education is the foundation of any great nation. She told the students, “You have an opportunity that many people today no longer have. Use it well. Start planning your future now and take advantage of the resources around you.”
Mr. Esomojumi added, “As you pursue your goals, never forget that being a good citizen is just as important. Abide by the law, contribute to your community, and live with integrity.”
The students responded with excitement and deep interest. Many of them asked questions, shared their dreams, and promised to make the most of the knowledge shared with them. A 16-year-old SS2 student was so inspired by seeing women from the banking sector leading the mentorship that she confidently declared her desire to become a banker, saying, “Today, I am more sure than ever of what I want to be in the future—a banker.”
Wema Bank’s relationship with Eko Akete Senior Grammar School didn’t start with this mentorship. In 2022, through the “Salary for Love” initiative, bank staff donated funds to provide a borehole for the school. That borehole now serves more than 2,000 students, teachers, and even members of the nearby community with clean drinking water.
Aside from its education efforts, Wema Bank is also promoting other SDGs through programmes like the 5 for 5 Promo. Launched in 2021, this reward-based campaign has helped the bank give back to its loyal customers. Over the course of three seasons, the bank has disbursed over N150 million to nearly 2,400 Nigerians. The ongoing Season 4, which started in October 2024, will add another N135 million in rewards, bringing the total to over N285 million in cash prizes.
What makes the 5 for 5 Promo unique is not just the cash prizes, but the focus on empowering people from different parts of Nigeria and ensuring everyone has a fair chance. The initiative has helped to tackle economic inequalities and promote financial inclusion—another major focus of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Wema Bank’s commitment to the SDGs has gone beyond talk. The bank is reported to have supported over 90% of the goals through its projects. From clean water to gender equality, from economic empowerment to responsible consumption, the bank is using a wide strategy to reach more Nigerians and improve lives.
Through these continuous efforts, Wema Bank is building not only strong individuals but also a stronger Nigeria. Whether through mentorship, community service, or direct rewards to customers, the bank is making sure that no one is left behind in the journey toward a better future.
