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CITATION OF DR. DANIEL KOLAWOLE OLUKOYA, GENERAL OVERSEER (MFM WORLDWIDE)
MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND MIRACLES MINISTRIES
International Headquarters, Lagos CITATION OF DR. DANIEL KOLAWOLE OLUKOYA, GENERAL OVERSEER (MFM WORLDWIDE)Dr.Daniel Kolawole Olukoya was born over 60 years ago to Mr. and Mrs.Amos Olukoya, a retired police officer and a petty trader respectively. He attended Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, where he finished with Grade One distinction and was the best student of his set.In his quest for higher education, he proceeded to the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG) where he studied Micro-Biology and bagged a first class degree honours, the first from the science Department since the University was established in 1962.After about two years of teaching and subsequent employment as a Research Assistant in the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Olukoya travelled to the United Kingdom under the Commonwealth scholarship to the University of Reading, where he obtained PhD in Molecular Genetics. It is worth pointing out that DrOlukoya finished his Ph.D. degree in record time, in spite of the difficulty of the subject and was the first Nigerian to obtain a Ph.D. in the subject area.Dr. Olukoya is the first scientist to establish an indigenous laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in Nigeriaand the first to clone genes. He has also supervised over 30 Ph.D. students, most of whom are presently doing well in their chosen fields.One important contribution to Biotechnology and Health delivery made by Dr. Olukoya was the invention of a new type of ogi (pap) named DOGIK, a weaning food that can control diarrhoea and also contains improved nutritional qualities. As a researcher, he has over80scientific publications to his credit.On return to Nigeria after the completion of his Ph.D. programme, Dr. Olukoya continued to worship the Almighty God and was engaged in the delivering of seminars, preaching, singing among others, until God gave him the blue print and vision of the Mountain Of Fire and Miracles Ministries, which took off with 24 people in his sitting room in Yaba, Lagos in October 1989. Since the establishment of this church by God through Dr. D.K.Olukoya, MFM has experienced significant demographic spread. The Church has thousands of branches spread across Africa, Asia, Europe, a huge percentage are also located in the United states, the United Kingdom and Ireland. In its two decades of existence, MFM, which is noted for its unique and powerful prayer style, has enveloped the nation like a colossus and the church’s headquarters is the largest single congregation in Africa with attendance of over 120,000 in single meetings.The MFM is a Ministry devoted to the revival of apostolic signs, Holy Ghost- Fire- works, miracles and the unprecedented demonstration of the Power of God to deliver to the uttermost.Absolute holiness within and without, as a spiritual insecticide and prerequisite for heaven is taught openly.Anointed by God, Dr Olukoya is a prophet, evangelist, teacher and preacher of the Word of God. Apart from the scientific publications to his credit, Dr Olukoya has written over 250 spiritual books, most of which are best sellers. The outstanding being the PRAYER RAIN, a prayer manual which is being used by the Christian world, irrespective of the denomination they belong. This book has sold in millions of copies. Besides this, Dr. Olukoya has to his credit over 70 Christian songs he composed.Dr D.K.Olukoya started an annual football competition, known as the Dr. D.K.Olukoya international youth football event that brings together youths from MFM churches across Africa since 2007. Three players from the D.K.O competition, including the current assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade were part of the Golden Eaglets side that won the FIFA Under 17 world cup in 2013 in Doha, UAE. MFM represented Nigeria at the maiden edition of the Church World Cup in Goa – India in 2014 and thus became the best football playing church in the world.MFM gained promotion to play in the Nigeria Professional Football league in 2015, the first church in Nigeria to achieve that feat. MFM FC is the challenge cup champions in LagosHe Sponsors the annual Dr. D.K. Olukoya national u-18 Athletics championship in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, from where Commonwealth Gold medalist and long jump queen, Ese Brume was discovered in 2013.Sponsored commonwealth wrestling Gold medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye to the commonwealth games in 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. Both Odunayo and Brume represented Nigeria at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, BrazilMFM has produced players for all the Nigerian national football teams.Dr.Olukoya sponsors an annual Basketball and Table tennis eventsHe has passion for the youths and this explains the 70 points Agenda which motto is youthrepositioning.com.Dr. D.K.Olukoya initiated an award of excellence to first class students in various universities home and abroad.In August 21, 2003, the journey of realisation of noble vision of Mountain Top University was established. The mission of the University is to provide excellent facilities for the training of men and women in various academic, professional and vocational disciplines in an atmosphere that will enhance the simultaneous development of their spiritual, mental and physical facilities, in order to produce morally upright and academically sound graduates with specialised skills and value system, who will be independent and invariably self-employed.Dr D.K.Olukoya has received many awards such as; Special awards for excellence in Research and Administration (SAFERA 2012), a Fellow of the Institute of Administrators and Researchers of Nigeria. The Most Prominent General Overseer of the year 2013 award worldwide, The Best Administrative General Overseer award Washington DC 2013,Top great Africa Achievers leaders legacy awards South Africa 2013,Outstanding Christian leaders awardsetc.His life and that of his wife, Pastor Shade and their son Elijah Toluwani are living proofs that all power belongs to God.
OUR SCHOOL PROFILENikwhales Nursery and Primary School is a first-rate institution established in the year 2007, to help prepare children for the future both educationally and morally.Within the past 12 years, we have been able to nurture 5 sets of students for secondary Schools. Some of them are now in either Private secondary schools or Federal Government Colleges within and outside Lagos state.With highly-trained and experienced teachers, Nikwhales Schools is poised to take every child to the top of their career from the solid foundation we render.Established in 2007, Nikwhales Schools is situated in a serene environment in Ogba Estate, behind Excellence Hotel and AY Hotels, Ogba- Ikeja Nigeria.Nikwhales Schools boast of an atmosphere conducive enough for learning and development of every child.Our school has the following Departments: The Crèche, the Nursery and the Primary Classes which comprise of Years 1 to 6.Nikwhales Nursery and Primary School was established not only to impart knowledge to the growing child, but to offer qualitative training aimed at preparing them for a secure future and better challenges.It is noteworthy that the administrators of the school led by Mrs. O.O. Adeyemo and Suryeyor S.A. Adeyemo are themselves products of qualitative training from institutions that Nikwhales School is designed after. They are determined to give back to the society what they benefited from, and that is unadulterated education from the cradle.Our MissionTo provide quality early years education, that will bring out positive development in every child, creating a sense of responsibility to the society, with love and respect for one another.To keep alive the vision of Nikwhales Nursery and Primary School, the institution has in place a board of governors with dynamic men and women as members.The board of governor has as its chairman Surveyor Samson A. Adeyemo, an oil field Seismic Surveyor who holds a masters degree in Business Administration and is also a member of several organizations including Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Nigeria German Business Association, Nigerian Asian Chamber of Commerce, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and Vegetables Oil Producers Association of Nigeria.The Proprietress of the school is Mrs. Oyenike O. Adeyemo, An Educationist of high repute. She nurtured the vision of contributing her quota to the educational advancement of the Nigerian child. Mrs. Adeyemo who is widely travelled also holds a masters degree in Education.The Head teacher of the school, Mr. J.M. Johnson, is another well-seasoned educationist who is poised to bring his wealth of experience to yield positive results at Nikwhales Schools and in Nigeria as a whole.The teaching staff comprises of well-qualified and experienced teachers who are constantly updated themselves to be able to meet the future challenges in the teaching profession.The support staffs are hardworking and God-fearing.They all work together to lay a solid foundation for every pupil who passes through the four walls of Nikwhales Schools.
AKINYEOLUWA, OLUWATOYIN ELIZABETH MNIOBBLOCK Z6 FLAT 4, NEW ESTATE, COVENANT UNIVERSITY OTA,OGUN STATE NIGERIA07057142027oluwatoyin.akinyeoluwa@covenantuniversity.edu.ngBIODATAGENDER: FEMALEDATE OF BIRTH: 21TH JANUARY, 1971NATIONALITY: NIGERIANMARITAL STATUS: MARRIEDCAREER OBJECTIVETo provide distinct and quality service in a dynamic goal oriented and motivating working environment, to practice my profession with inbuilt potential positively and also contribute to the organization’s objectives where efficiency and quality are adequately rewarded.EDUCATIONUniversity of Lagos Akoka, Masters of Science (Construction Management) 2016University Of Lagos, Akoka, Bachelor of Science (Building) 1996Wesley Girls Secondary School, West African School Certificate 1988 Yaba Lagos Mount Camel Covenant School, First School Leaving Certificate 1983Ebute Metta Lagos. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONCORPORATE MEMBER OF NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF BUILDING (NIOB) 2014CORPORATE MEMBER COUNCIL OF REGISTERED BUILDERS OF NIGERIA (CORBON) 2016 PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES ATTENDEDNIOB ‘’Attended Annual/General Meeting/ConferenceTheme: Information Technology Innovation in Modern BuildingVenue: Sheraton Hotel Lagos, IkejaDate: Thursday 25th September, 2014NIOB ‘’44th Builders Conference/Annual General MeetingTheme: Construction Industry Development; Collaborations, Innovation & Capacity BuildingVenue: Bovina view Hotel Limited, Ilorin, Kwara StateDate: 11th-15th August, 2014NIOB ‘’Attended the Ikeja 2013 Builder’s Conference/Annual General MeetingTheme: Effect of Facility Management in Building Construction IndustryVenue: NECA HOUSE, plot 2A Hakeem Balogun Street, Central Business District, Alausa Ikeja, LagosDate: Tuesday 29th October, 2013NIOB ‘’Attended 2-day Mandatory National Professional WorkshopTheme: Building Production Management as a tool for Effective Housing DeliveryVenue: Lagos, Abuja, Owerri & ZariaDate: 9th & 10th May, 2013NIOB ‘’Attended the 42nd National Conference/Annual General MeetingTheme: Transformational Agenda & Building Production in NigeriaVenue: Nike Lake Resorts EnuguDate: 11th-15th July, 2012NIOB ‘’Attended the 2012 MCPDP for builders Theme: Improving the Core Practice Areas of Builders 111Venue: Lokoja, Ota, Umuahia and YolaDate: 29th May-1st June, 2012NIOB ‘’Attended the ‘’Ikeja 2008’’ Conference/Annual General MeetingTheme: The Place of Insurance in Building Control (Lagos State as a Case Study)Venue: Lagos Airport Hotel Limited, IkejaDate: 13th day of November, 2008NIOB “Attended the 41st Annual General Meeting/ConferenceTheme: Sourcing, Development and Utilization of Appropriate Building Materials for Sustainable EnvironmentVenue: Banquet Hall, Govt. House, Gombe StateDate: 6th-10th July, 2011TECHGRADE CONSULTINGTheme: Road Construction Specifications and Quality Control ProceduresVenue: Elephant Cement House, Ikeja, LagosDate: 18th-20th November, 2014BUILDERS VOCATIONAL TRAININGTheme: Bedrock for Nigerian Housing & Infrastructural DevelopmentVenue: Golden Tulip, FESTAC-Lagos-Hotel & Conference Centre, AmuwoDate: 26th-27th October, 2016 AWARDMEMBERSHIP AWARD Dec 2015Courtesy: The Nigeria Institute of Building (Abuja)EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD June 2016Courtesy: Covenant University Student Council (Ota)AWARD OF PRESTIGECourtesy: Nigeria Association of Building student (NAOBS) Sept 2016 (Unilag Akoka Lagos)PAPER PRESENTATIONFacility Management 2015Buildability of Construction Projects (University of Lagos) 2016Incentives and job satisfaction of builders in construction companies 2016WORK EXPERIENCE: COVENANT UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL PLANNING DEVELOPMENT POSITION: HEAD, CIVIL WORKS April 2013 to datePlanning, organizing, manpower coordination and supervision of construction project from inception to handover stage including road and drainages in terms of renovation, refurbishment and other maintenance works.COVENANT UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT POSITION: HEAD, BUILDING SERVICES April 2010-March 2013Initialization and general supervision of projects; construction, renovations, refurbishment and other necessary maintenance of building facilities, . COVENANT UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OTA, OGUN STATE: POSITION: MAINTENANCE ENGINEER. September 2003 to March 2010. Worked as a maintenance Engineer on the Covenant University Hostel facilities. COVENANT UNIVERSITY PROJECT (CUP) POSITION: PROJECT SUPERVISOR Jan 2003-August 2003 Worked as project supervisor on the following construction projects: Supervision of construction on Covenant University Chapel, Ota. Post graduate hall, Student halls of Residence Ota, Ogun State.AKINYEFA & PARTNERS LTD: POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER January 2001 to December 2002Worked as a project Manager on the following construction project:Refurbishment of a storey building containing, 4 blocks of flats converted to a duplex at Ogudu Lagos State.Construction of satellite dish bases for Telemobile Apapa, (8 Nos) at Warri (2 Nos) Port Harcourt 3Nos Abuja.Supervision of proposed development for Apostolic Church of Nigeria Coker Compound road, coker village, Lagos.Supervision of swimming pool construction for Opus-Dai organization Victoria Island, Lagos.CAPPA & D’ALDERTO: POSITION: PROJECT SUPERVISOR September 1998-Dec 2000Worked as a project supervisor on the following projects.Refurbishment of Okesuna yard at Lagos Island.Maintenance correspondence on Lagos State water corporation Ijora.Renovation of Cappa & D’alberto Head office at Cambell Street Lagos Island.LUDHOL ASSOCIATES: POSITION: SITE ENGINEER (NYSC) June 1997-June 1998Supervision of a four storey office block at No 385 Herbert Macaulay Road Yaba Lagos.CAPPA & D’ALBERTO (INDUSTRIAL TRAINING)POSITION: INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT June 1995-Dec1995Collation of site progress report and site progress photographs on lagos state water cooporation ijora.Worked in Quantity Survey or department on the construction of Lagos State water corporation head office at Ijora 7 Storey office block.HOBBIESSinging, praying and swimmingREFEREESEngr Yinka Adewuyi: PRINCIPAL PARTNER Dina Emms Partnership 7, Adewuyi Street, Opebi, Ikeja Tel: 01-7740292, 08034087847 Moris Fatterrelli (phD) PROJECT MANAGER Cappa & D’Alberto PLC 32 Cambell Street, Race Course Lagos, Island. Tel: 08022249450PROF K .T ODUSAMI DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING University of Lagos, Akoka Yaba Lagos 08023180822 [email protected]
Tier one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the completion of the tenure of Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi as Chairman of its Board of Directors effective December 31, 2025, and the appointment of Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu as the new Chairman of the Board, effective January 1, 2026.
The board transitions are in alignment with the Bank’s policy and have been communicated to the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Exchange Group, and other stakeholders.
Under Mr. Chike-Obi’s leadership, Fidelity Bank repaid its Eurobond, completed the first tranche of its public offer and rights issue that were oversubscribed by 237 percent and 137.73 percent respectively, expanded internationally to the United Kingdom, and received improved ratings from various agencies amongst a long list of achievements. His tenure also saw the Bank strengthen its capital position, record steady growth in customer deposits and total assets, deepen its digital banking capabilities, and enhance its corporate and investment banking proposition. The bank equally made notable progress in governance, risk management, and operational efficiency, all of which contributed to strengthened market confidence and the Bank’s sustained upward performance trajectory.
Reflecting on his tenure, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi said, “It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of Fidelity Bank. The dedication of our Board, management, and staff has enabled us to reach significant milestones. I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive and deliver value to all stakeholders.”
Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu’s appointment marks a new chapter for Fidelity Bank. She joined the Board in December 2020 and has chaired key committees. With over 30 years of banking experience, including executive roles at Mainstreet Bank Limited and Skye Bank Plc. She holds degrees in Economics, Corporate Governance, and Business Administration, and has attended executive programmes at global institutions. Mrs. Onwughalu is a Fellow of several professional bodies and has received awards for accountability and financial management
“I am honoured to lead the Board of Fidelity Bank at this exciting time. Our recent achievements have set a strong foundation for continued growth. I look forward to working with my colleagues to drive our strategy and deliver sustainable value,” commented Mrs. Onwughalu.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
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UBA Group Dominates 2025, Banker Awards, Emerges Africa’s Bank of the Year, For Third Time in Five Years
….Wins Best Bank in Nine out of 20 African Subsidiaries
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has once again, reaffirmed its leadership as one of the continent’s most innovative and resilient financial institutions, as the bank has, for the third time in five years, been named the African Bank of the year 2025 by the Banker.com.
UBA also won the Best Bank of the Year awards in nine of its 20 African subsidiaries, bringing its total awards this year to ten as UBA Benin, UBA Chad, UBA Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), UBA Liberia, UBA Mali, UBA Mozambique, UBA Senegal, UBA Sierra Leone, and UBA Zambia, all came out tops as the best banks in their respective countries, underscoring the bank’s strength across West, Central and Southern Africa and highlighting the depth of its Pan-African franchise.
The Banker.com, a leading global finance news publication published by the Financial Times of London, organises the annual Bank of the Year Awards, and this year’s edition was held at a grand ceremony at the Peninsula, London, on Wednesday.
The Chief Executive Officer, UBA UK, Deji Adeyelure, received the awards on behalf of the bank, representing the Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, and was accompanied by the bank’s Head Business Development, Mark Ifashe, and Head, Financial Institutions, Shilpam Jha.
The Banker’s awards are widely regarded as the most respected and rigorous in the global banking industry, celebrating institutions that demonstrate outstanding performance, innovation and strategic execution.
In its remarks on UBA’s winnings, the banker.com said, “For the third time in five years, UBA Group has won the coveted Bank of the Year award for Africa. UBA Group time after time punches above its weight against its larger African rivals. The bank this year also takes home nine separate country awards (one more than it gained for its last continental win in 2024), equivalent to around a quarter of the awards for the continent, and more than any of its continent-wide rivals.”
Continuing, it said, “Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that the awards were won across a broad geographic spread, going to lenders based in the Economic Community of West African States (Benin, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and former member Mali), the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (Chad, Republic of Congo) and the Southern African Development Community (Mozambique, Zambia). Its award wins were particularly notable in the highly competitive categories for Benin and Mozambique.”
The Banker also highlighted UBA’s strong financial performance and commitment to future growth. In 2024, the Group recorded a 46.8 per cent increase in assets and a 6.1 per cent rise in pre-tax profits in local currency terms, while continuing to invest significantly in talent and technology. West Africa remains UBA’s heartland, with operating revenue and profit increasing by 87 per cent and 89 per cent respectively in H1 2025.
The bank’s digital and innovation leadership was equally recognised. During the year under review, and launched its Advance Top-Up buy-now-pay-later feature on the *919# USSD platform, expanding financial access for customers, while the bank’s chatbot Leo continued its strong growth trajectory, with transaction volumes rising by 29 per cent year-on-year in H1 2025. Notably, in August, Leo became the first African banking chatbot to enable cross-border payments via the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, while reacting to the achievement, said the recognition affirms the bank’s long-term strategy and customer-first philosophy.
“This honour reflects the strength of our Pan-African network, the trust of our customers, and the dedication of our people. Winning Africa’s Bank of the Year for the third time in five years is not by chance; it is a testament to disciplined execution, innovation, and a deep understanding of the markets we serve,” Alawuba said.
“Our nine country awards across diverse regions of Africa show that UBA is not just growing, but growing with impact. We remain committed to driving financial inclusion, supporting economic development, and deploying technology that makes banking simpler, faster, and more accessible to Africans everywhere,” he added.
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.
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ZENITH BANK TECH FAIR 5.0 SPOTLIGHTS INNOVATION, AWARDS ₦140 MILLION CASH PRIZE TO HACKATHON WINNERS
L-R: Executive Vice President, CNN International Commercial, Phil Nelson; Founder & CEO, Beyond Limits Africa and Non-Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Dr. Juliet Ehimuan; Managing Director/CEO, NIBSS, Premier Oiwoh; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Mrs. Adobi Nwapa; Founder & Chairman, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, CFR; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Akin Ogunranti; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Louis Odom; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Adamu Lawani; and Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, NITDA, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi during the Zenith Bank Tech Fair Future Forward 5.0 held at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently.
A total cash prize of ₦140 million has been awarded to ten (10) African innovators to scale their transformative solutions after a keenly contested hackathon and pitch session at the Fifth Edition of the Zenith Tech Fair, themed “Future Forward 5.0: Tech for Success – Innovate, Adapt, Accelerate”, which held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.The 2025 edition of the Zenith Tech Fair featured an expanded, dual-competition structure that included a high-stakes Hackathon for product development and a Startup Pitch Competition for early-stage ventures, and drew participation from thousands of developers, founders, and entrepreneurs across the continent.The prize money was shared among ten finalists who emerged from the over 2,000 contestants that took part in the Zecathon. In the hotly contested final, two major winners emerged, each receiving the top prize of ₦30 million. The winner of the Hackathon, Trust Loop, clinched first place for its innovative solution that delivers seamless digital KYC and liveness verification. Simultaneously, the winner of the Startup Pitch Competition, Cubbes Technologies Limited, secured the top spot for its revolutionary AI-powered EdTech platform that enhances learning and career readiness.The remaining eight (8) finalists across both categories were equally recognised, each receiving ₦10 million in non-dilutive funding. They include Venille Ltd, Sowota, FLOW, InvoPay, Zenith Intelliscore, The Very Hacked Men, Konfam and Zerax. All ten finalists will also be entitled to a six-week mentorship and incubation programme designed to help them grow and scale effectively, and this will run from December 2025 to February 2026.The Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON, in her welcome address, thanked the Founder & Chairman, Dr Jim Ovia, CFR, for the visionary foresight that led to the creation of the Zenith Tech Fair. Commenting on the Zecathon, she said, “Our theme this year, ‘Tech for Success: Innovate, Adapt, Accelerate’, is very timely. To appreciate its urgency, it helps to reflect on the speed of human progress. According to the Harvard Business Review, it took humanity millions of years to master fire, yet only 66 years to move from the first powered flight to landing on the moon. The lesson is simple – the next technological breakthrough will not take a lifetime. It will emerge sooner than we expect and could come from any one of you in this room today. We are confident that this Tech Fair will produce innovators who will change the world, and we stand ready to support you to turn your ideas into reality.”In his Goodwill Message, the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, said, “This fifth edition reflects our unwavering commitment to create value through technology, innovation, and talent development. My vision is to continue to empower the youth through technology, with the hope that one day we will produce the likes of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos.”Whilst delivering his goodwill message, the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, called for increased technological empowerment initiatives to provide youths with adequate opportunities needed to thrive in the digital future. He said, “What I see happening here every year are things that we in leadership need to connect with. This is an activation that can bring life and real conversation to the young, dynamic, innovative, and creative young people that we have in this country. By 2050, half of the youth population in the world will be in Africa, and even in Africa, they will be in Nigeria, and if they are in Nigeria,
they will be somewhere in Lagos, and we need to be able to fish them out. We need to give them an opportunity and a space to fly. We want to make Lagos the human capital centre of the world, where Microsoft and Google will think of raising a million tech experts. That’s the kind of vision and opportunity we want to leave behind.”Hailed as a resounding success by participants, the Fair showcased cutting-edge demonstrations on the role of Generative AI, Agentic AI, and Cloud Computing in driving economic growth with Keynote addresses delivered by Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Managing Director, M-PESA Africa; Jonas Kjellberg, Co-Creator, Skype and Dr. Shivagami Gugan, Chief Technologist for Middle East, Turkey and Africa, AWS.The event also featured goodwill messages by the National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, and the Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, ably represented by the Head of Service, Niger State, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Idris.Another key feature from the tech fair this year was the robust exclusive masterclasses delivered by global technology and consulting powerhouses: McKinsey & Company, Huawei, Check Point, and Microsoft. These sessions covered critical topics from cybersecurity to advanced cloud solutions and disruptive technologies, equipping participants with world-class insights.Aside from the thrilling musical performance by Nigerian musician Spyro, the fair also featured dual-panel sessions that were very insightful and highly interactive. The panel sessions both had Zain Asher, CNN Anchor, as host, and featured high-level discussants including Adaora Nwodo, Founder & Executive Director, NexaScale; Aisha Tofa, Board Chair, Startup Kano Centre for Innovation Dev.; David Kpakima, Co-Founder, Rasab Group, Sierra Leone; Dr Stanley Jacob, President, FINTECHNGR; Iyinoluwa S. Aboyeji, CEO Future Africa; Gary Fowler, CEO & Founder GSD Venture Studios; Bradwin Roper, Chief Payments & Partnerships Officer at JUMO, and Mrs. Omoyemen A. Jide-Samuel, Director, Information Technology, CBN.Zenith Bank remains committed to fostering an ecosystem where innovation thrives, ensuring that the next generation of African tech leaders have the capital, mentorship, and resources required to achieve global scalability and impact.The Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker and “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. The Bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023; and was listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025 in the World Finance Banking Awards and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards. Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom
The Bank’s commitment to excellence led to Zenith being also named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in The Banker’s Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year 2023 to 2025 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and 2024 to 2025. The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards, Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper; and Best in MSME Trade Finance, 2023 by Nairametrics. The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.Zenith Bank has also bagged several non-financial awards, including Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024
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