Amaka Obiefuna 

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, has renewed the Bank’s call for young Nigerians to embrace a savings culture, urging them to see savings as a lifelong discipline for creating stability and financial resilience.

Mr. Kolawole gave the charge while addressing students of Alvana Model Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State, as part of the financial literacy training organized by the Bank to mark this year’s World Savings Day.

Represented by Mr. William Odigie, Unity Bank’s Zonal Head, South East/South South, Mr. Kolawole reaffirmed Unity Bank’s commitment to deepening financial inclusion among young Nigerians as it joined global institutions to commemorate this year’s World Savings Day, themed “Beyond Savings – Building Financial Resilience.”

The Bank participated in nationwide Financial Literacy Training sessions held simultaneously across the country, an initiative led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers’ Committee, Deposit Money Banks and Junior Achievement Nigeria, aimed at improving financial inclusion and equipping young people with essential money management skills.

Speaking during the training, Mr. Kolawole stressed that “savings is foundational to financial planning, financial management and investment, and therefore the Youth must imbibe the culture of savings not just as mere financial activity, but to enable them to create financial security and independence in the long run”.

He noted that Unity Bank continues to prioritise financial literacy initiatives because early exposure to money management helps young people mitigate uncertainties and economic shocks that may hinder their ability to meeting goals.

The training sessions, facilitated by Unity Bank staff across multiple states, exposed students to practical lessons on budgeting, financial goals and seminar classes and workshops. 

World Savings Day, celebrated annually on October 31, promotes the importance of savings as a cornerstone of economic resilience. In Nigeria, Deposit Money Banks collaborate with the CBN and partner organisations to deliver training programmes that equip students with lifelong financial skills.

Unity Bank’s participation reflects its ongoing dedication to supporting youth development and strengthening the financial literacy ecosystem across the country.

By Fidelia Okafor 

Across Africa, women are fast becoming the heartbeat of economic transformation. From bustling open-air markets to high-tech boardrooms, women-led enterprises are redefining what is possible for the continent’s future. Whether as market traders expanding their reach through digital platforms, tech founders scaling innovations across borders, or artisans turning local crafts into global brands, women’s contributions are now central to Africa’s economic resurgence.

Even as they break new ground, many still face formidable barriers. Access to finance, mentorship, business education, and supportive networks remains limited. Structural issues such as weak property rights, gender bias, and inadequate legal protections often hinder women from securing loans or expanding their businesses. Consequently, many women-owned ventures remain small, informal, and vulnerable to economic shocks.

Recognising both the promise and the obstacles, Access Bank has positioned itself at the forefront of empowering women across the continent. Recently named Africa’s Best Financier for Female Entrepreneurs by the EMEA Finance Awards, the Bank has earned global recognition for its commitment to inclusion, innovation, and sustainable impact.

At the centre of this effort is the W Initiative, one of Africa’s most comprehensive women-focused banking programmes. Unlike conventional banking, it combines finance with mentorship, training, and community support, acknowledging that true empowerment requires more than access to capital. The initiative meets women wherever they are on their entrepreneurial journey, from start-ups to growing enterprises and corporate leadership.

The W Power Loan offers affordable credit with flexible terms, enabling women to invest in expansion, inventory, or technology. The W Academy provides leadership and business training on financial literacy, marketing, and regulatory compliance, while the W Community connects women to peers, mentors, and role models across industries.

Importantly, these offerings extend beyond urban centres. From microloans sustaining traders in rural markets to leadership programmes developing female executives in multinational firms, Access Bank’s approach is deliberately inclusive. By partnering NGOs, business associations, and government agencies, it reaches women in underserved communities, ensuring participation in Africa’s economic rise.

The results are evident. Thousands of women have accessed credit, training, and networks through the Bank’s initiatives, enabling them to launch and scale businesses, create jobs, and uplift their communities. The ripple effects are far-reaching: increased household income, improved family wellbeing, and greater economic resilience. Women who once faced daunting barriers now serve as role models and change-makers, inspiring others to follow their path.

Studies show that when women thrive, societies prosper. The World Bank and African Development Bank note that empowering women fuels GDP growth, improves health outcomes, and enhances social stability. By directly addressing structural gaps in access to finance and information, Access Bank helps to unlock this transformative potential.

Apart from supporting entrepreneurs, Access Bank promotes gender inclusion within its own organisation. Its leadership pipeline identifies and advances talented women, while mentorship and wellness programmes help female professionals thrive. The Bank also uses public platforms, from conferences to policy dialogues, to share success stories and advocate for gender diversity across sectors.

The EMEA Finance recognition thus goes beyond trophies and titles; it affirms that profitability and purpose can coexist. For Access Bank, supporting women’s advancement is smart economics. By embedding inclusion into its DNA, the Bank is shaping a financial ecosystem that views women as equal partners in progress.

Access Bank’s influence also extends into advocacy. Through forums, roundtables, and research collaborations, the Bank engages policymakers, civil society, and business leaders to identify and dismantle barriers facing women entrepreneurs. Its campaigns amplify women’s voices, spotlighting their achievements and driving conversations around inclusive growth.

The Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE) at the weekend inducted the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Ronald Adams and 19 others as Fellows for outstanding contributions to the profession.

They were accorded the highest honour of the Society at its 55th conference and annual general meeting held on Saturday November 15^th in Enugu. NSChE National President, Bayo Olarewaju-Alo, advised them to continue “to inspire younger engineers, shape industrial polices and drive sustainable growth through innovation and ethical practice.”

Responding on behalf of the inductees, Ron expressed gratitude for the honour and pledged that they would justify the confidence reposed in them. He said: “Chemical Engineers are needed today more than ever before. As society evolves at a rapid pace, we need these professionals to make sense of it all and prepare us for challenges in the energysector and beyond.”

He added: “SNEPCo shares the vision of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers and supports members in the company through trainings and the wider body in the pursuit of its mission. The partnership will continue.”

A few months ago, the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) presented an Award of Excellence to Ron, for his visionary leadership in deep-water production.

Ron has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of the West Indies and an international MBA, with specialization in Strategic Planning from Herriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. He has held several leadership roles in his native Trinidad and Tobago, and made history on August 1, 2021, when he became the Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic LNG of Trinidad and Tobago, the first local to hold the position in its 25 years of operation.

In October last year, he arrived in Nigeria to open another historic chapter, becoming the first non-Nigerian to serve as Managing Director of SNEPCo; the company that had itself made history earlier on February 14, 2023, when Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water field, produced its one billionth barrel of oil.

Ronald is repositioning SNEPCo for an even brighter future as it implements the $5-billion Bonga North project.

Amaka Obiefuna

The French Week Economic Summit 2025, which held recently convened senior government officials, business leaders, diplomats, and industry stakeholders with a unified call for stronger bilateral cooperation to advance sustainable economic growth across both nations.

Delivering the welcome remarks, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, President, France–Nigeria Business Council (FNBC) and Chairman, Access Holdings Plc, stressed the importance of reinforcing commercial ties between France and Nigeria through practical partnerships, strategic investment, and private-sector leadership.

The Summit, now in its third consecutive year at Access Towers, head office of Access Bank, was convened under the theme: “France–Nigeria Commercial Relations: Leveraging Partnership for Growth.”

Represented by Innocent Ike, Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings, Aig-Imoukhuede, noted that the Summit reflected the progress envisioned when President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the France–Nigeria Business Council in 2019 to foster practical, private-sector–led cooperation. According to him, the FNBC has since evolved into a key platform for deepening partnerships across energy, infrastructure, finance, and culture, driven by shared values of innovation, sustainability, and inclusion.

Aig-Imoukhuede highlighted major ongoing bilateral projects, including the AGORA Project, a joint France–Africa initiative aimed at reimagining urban sustainability through green mobility, environmentally conscious infrastructure, and digital ecosystem integration.

He also presented updates on the Omi Eko Initiative, a collaboration between the Lagos State Government, French technical partners, and Nigerian private-sector institutions designed to restore and sustainably manage the Lagos Lagoon. The initiative is projected to cut carbon emissions by 31,000 tons of CO₂ annually, mobilise over €60 million (₦100 billion) in green-infrastructure investments, and create more than 2,000 jobs across recycling, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism. He noted that Omi Eko illustrates how environmental restoration can serve as a catalyst for broad-based economic opportunity.

In her remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, announced a major development for the state’s economic landscape: he emergence of the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC). Designed to attract global financial institutions, drive foreign investment, and promote financial innovation, the Commissioner described the LIFC as a transformative platform.
“It will serve as a strong platform for global investors, innovators, and businesses to converge,” Ambrose-Medebem said. “Watch this space: by the time you return next year, I hope to share more about its formal launch and milestones achieved.”

She explained that the Summit provides a robust avenue for high-level dialogue, reinforcing the commitment of both nations to fostering cross-investment, creating bankable projects, and driving shared, sustainable growth. This commitment is reflected in recent initiatives such as the Omi Eko Project, a €410 million Lagos State effort to modernise the city’s water transportation system through a network of safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient electric ferries.

Aig-Imoukhuede also underscored the potential of the creative sector as a strategic growth industry for France and Nigeria. He referenced ongoing cultural collaborations, including Creation Africa and the Tate Modern “Nigeria Modernism” Exhibition, that continue to elevate Nigerian creativity on the global stage. He urged investors and financial institutions to view the creative economy as both a viable export industry and a key driver of national identity and influence.

Addressing global climate transitions, Aig-Imoukhuede emphasised the need for expanded collaboration in renewable energy. He noted that France’s leadership in green technology, paired with Nigeria’s abundant natural resources, positions both nations for impactful joint investments in solar, hydro, wind, and cleaner gas solutions.
He encouraged Summit participants to move beyond dialogue and deliver measurable milestones and sustainable outcomes that benefit both countries.

Aig-Imoukhuede reaffirmed the commitment of the FNBC, the Franco–Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Access Holdings Plc to fostering deeper commercial ties and long-term economic cooperation between France and Nigeria. He expressed confidence that the Summit would catalyse stronger partnerships, increased investments, and shared prosperity.