First City Monument Bank has strengthened its support for women-led businesses through its flagship initiative, SheVentures, by successfully hosting the 2025 SheVentures Networking Summit in Lagos. The gathering brought together hundreds of female entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals from different sectors, reaffirming the bank’s long-standing commitment to promoting gender inclusion and economic empowerment.
According to a statement from FCMB, the event, themed “Engage, Empower & Unwind 2.0: The Power of Balance,” focused on helping women pursue bold business ambitions while maintaining a healthy balance between their personal and professional lives. The bank said the summit was designed to address the realities facing women in business, especially the pressure to combine leadership, family responsibilities and wellbeing.
The summit featured a series of interactive sessions, including fireside chats and networking engagements that created an open space for learning, sharing experiences, and building meaningful business connections. The discussions centred on growth, resilience and purpose, with speakers urging participants to embrace strategic thinking and emotional balance while navigating Nigeria’s evolving business environment.
One of the major highlights of the event was a fireside chat that featured the CEO of Happy Coffee Nigeria, Princess Adeyinka Tekenah; growth and personal development strategist, Dr Ella Ezeadilieje; and the CEO of Lebara Nigeria, Teni Stuffman. The speakers shared insights on overcoming business challenges, developing personal strengths, and staying motivated in the face of uncertainty. They also encouraged women to prioritise self-care as a key driver of sustained productivity.
Speaking during the summit, FCMB’s Executive Director of Corporate Services and Service Management, Felicia Obozuwa, said SheVentures remains a platform built to drive inclusive economic growth by equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need to thrive. She noted that the bank provides capacity-building programmes, mentorship structures and zero-interest loans that help women grow their businesses sustainably.
Felicia Obozuwa said, “At FCMB, we believe that empowering women is not just a social imperative — it is an economic strategy. Through SheVentures, we are building an ecosystem where women can grow businesses sustainably while finding the balance that fuels long-term success.” She added that FCMB will continue to invest in initiatives that remove barriers for women in business and strengthen Nigeria’s SME sector.
Since its launch, SheVentures has supported thousands of women across the country with tailored financial solutions, mentoring opportunities and market access. Many beneficiaries have testified that the initiative has helped them expand their operations, improve their business management skills and gain wider visibility. The 2025 edition of the Networking Summit reinforced FCMB’s commitment to gender-focused empowerment and its role in pushing the agenda for a more inclusive economy.
The bank said it will continue to introduce programmes that provide practical guidance and emotional support for women entrepreneurs, noting that balanced leadership and inclusive innovation are essential for national development. Participants at the summit commended FCMB for sustaining an initiative that not only provides funding but also promotes community building among women in business.
