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Ecobank Workers Conference: Experts Advise Employees, Small Business Owners On Income Diversification
Salary earners, individuals, self-employed and small businesses have been advised to make deliberate efforts to save and diversify their income stream in the light of the current state of the nation’s economy. This was the submission of panelists at the webinar titled: Maximising your income: the power of diversification, organized by Ecobank Nigeria as part of its commemoration of this year’s Workers’ Day. This is just as Ecobank has reiterated that it has wide array of product offerings and financial services to meet the needs of the people and support businesses across the country.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Yemi Kale in his presentation titled: State of the Nigerian Macroeconomy: Implications for Consumers and Workers, pointed out that the nation’s economy has potentials for growth, based on its huge youth population, large market, abundant natural and human resources and significant developments in the tourism, telecommunications, manufacturing, and technology industries. He regretted that such potentials are being hindered by macroeconomic dysfunctions which includes external contagion, political instability, improper planning and poor plan implementation and outright wrong decisions, policies, and strategies.
“Our GDP growth has been steady, slow, and fragile, high inflation risks, rising public debt indicative of shrinking fiscal space and declining reserves and slowdown in capital inflow. Households and workers must therefore explore multiple sources of income, invest to hedge inflation, buy food items in bulk to evade immediate upward price adjustment and avoid loan accumulation.”. He stated.
He identified Ecobank as one of the financial institutions that parades diversified products and services, noting the bank’s decision to organize the webinar was quite laudable because of the attendant benefits.
Further, the former statistician General of the nation noted that “Nigeria has potentials for strong economic growth. It is the biggest economy in Africa and largest African market. Nigeria has abundant human resources as Africa’s most populous nation with growing youthful population and low-cost labour. It is the 6th largest gas deposit in the world, 8th highest producer of petroleum in the world and oil reserves are estimated to be 36 billion barrels. We are blessed with 34 solid minerals, over 44 exportable commodities and significant growth potentials in the tourism, telecommunications, manufacturing, and technology industries.”
Also speaking, Daberechi Effiong, who heads Consumer Products at Ecobank Nigeria highlighted the benefits of saving with the bank and how to diversify income to maximize returns. She advised customers to spread their portfolios for multiple sources of income and also imbibe the habit of financial planning. According to her, “Ecobank has bouquet of high yielding products with attractive interest rates which customers can invest in. They can take advantage of our savings and current accounts, local and foreign accounts, super savers and so many others. We also have mortgage financing, either re-financing or outright purchase. They can access our services through our digital channels and Xpress points, our agency banking outlets, which is available all over the country. We also offer financial advice and grant loans with low interest rates to customers.”
Oluyemisi Ogunmola, Managing Director, EDC Fund Management Limited stated the need for participants to invest in Money Market, Mutual Fund as part of income diversification. “You should have goals for diversification, either short, medium, or long term. We are also available for financial advice on where and how to invest. It is also important to know that you can start small with the fund you have.” She stated.
Earlier In her welcome address, Mrs. Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the webinar focuses on practical financial planning insights on maximizing income and how customers and members of the public can key in as they go through their financial lifecycle. She added that the webinar is a further proof of the bank’s commitment to the financial well-being of its customers, and so, urged the bank’s customers as well as non-customers to make Ecobank their bank of choice.
Ecobank Nigeria Ltd is an affiliate of the Ecobank Group, the leading private pan-African banking group. Ecobank Nigeria offers a comprehensive suite of financial services and solutions to its Consumer, Commercial, Corporate and Investment Banking clients at over 200 branches and 50,000 Xpress Point agency locations in Nigeria. The Ecobank Group was established in 1985 to drive financial integration and socio-economic development in Africa. With a presence in 35 sub-Saharan African countries as well as in France, the UK, UAE and China, we have unrivalled expertise and experience across Africa. The Ecobank pan-African platform provides a single gateway for payments, cash management, trade and investment across Africa and beyond.
Zenith Bank Plc has announced the opening of its Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary, marking a pivotal achievement in the Group’s Pan-African expansion strategy.The official opening ceremony, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, is expected to attract senior government officials and regulators from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, continental business leaders, and members of the diplomatic community, highlighting the strategic economic ties and investment opportunities between the two markets.The new subsidiary, licensed in December 2025 by the Ministry of Finance and Budget, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, will commence operations from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan.The launch represents a strategic move to deepen the Bank’s presence in Francophone West Africa and strengthen financial intermediation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Positioned as a gateway for cross-border trade and investment, Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire will focus on corporate banking, trade finance, local and offshore banking services, and structured financial solutions tailored to businesses operating across Africa and internationally.Commenting on the launch, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, said: “From the very beginning, our Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia CFR, set out to build a truly global brand with a strong presence across Africa and key international markets. The launch of Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire is a bold step in realising that vision; opening a strategic corridor into Francophone West Africa and reinforcing our commitment to facilitating trade, investment, and enterprise growth across the continent. As we continue to expand thoughtfully and strategically, we remain focused on delivering world-class banking solutions that connect African businesses to global opportunities.”The new subsidiary will be headed by MD/CEO Mr. Cédric Tano, a seasoned banking executive with over two decades of experience. Speaking ahead of the official opening, he said “We are proud to establish Zenith Bank’s presence in Côte d’Ivoire at a time of strong economic growth in the country and increasing regional integration. Our focus is to showcase the Zenith brand as a customer-centric institution that combines global best practices with deep local insight. We are well positioned to support businesses with innovative financing solutions, facilitate cross-border trade, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Ivorian economy and the wider WAEMU region.”The Côte d’Ivoire launch forms part of Zenith Bank’s broader continental growth strategy. In addition to the Anglophone countries where it currently operates, and in line with the expansion into the Francophone market, the Bank has commenced its entry process into the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community) region, with Cameroon as the focal point. With a footprint already spanning Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, and China, Zenith Bank continues to bridge African markets with global opportunities, enabling seamless trade and financial connectivity across the continent and beyond.
Founded in 1990, Zenith Bank has grown into one of Africa’s most respected banking institutions, boasting a robust capital base and a consistent track record of strong financial performance. For 16 consecutive years, the Bank has held the record of highest Tier-1 capital in the Nigerian banking industry. Built on the foundation of People, Technology, and Service, Zenith Bank continues to deliver innovative financial solutions while maintaining a disciplined approach to growth and risk management. Its performance has earned it numerous local and international recognitions and endorsements.
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) is pleased to announce the 9th edition of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival, scheduled to hold from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, at GTCentre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.Geographic Reference
This year’s theme, “Everything Food and Drink,” captures the expansive nature of the Festival experience. It reflects not only the variety of cuisines on display but also the depth of stories behind them. Over the years, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival has grown far beyond a seasonal celebration to become a culturally significant platform where food and drink serve as a meeting point for storytelling, innovation, and opportunity. The Festival will feature 204 free retail stalls, showcasing the rich diversity and creativity of our food culture; from time-honoured traditional dishes preserved across generations, to bold contemporary interpretations of global cuisine, creating space for every flavour, every technique, and every craving to find expression.
Visitors can expect a rich programme featuring interactive masterclasses, live culinary demonstrations, food and wine tastings, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing small and medium-scale food businesses alongside established culinary brands. In addition to its wide range of food and drink offerings, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival is renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere, with a well-equipped play area and a variety of engaging activities for children, ensuring an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 edition, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, Segun Agbaje, emphasized the Festival’s continued evolution as both a cultural and economic enabler: “The GTCO Food and Drink Festival has, over the years, become a living expression of what we stand for as an institution: innovation, opportunity, and enterprise that is accessible to all. What makes this platform special is not just its scale, but its humanity. It brings together people from different walks of life around something universal—food and drink—and in doing so, it breaks barriers and builds connections that extend far beyond the event itself.”
Since inception, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival has positioned itself as one of Africa’s most prominent culinary gatherings, attracting participation from across Nigeria and increasingly from the wider continent and diaspora.
Admission remains free and open to all, reaffirming the Festival’s commitment to accessibility as a consumer-focused event that brings people together through food, drink, culture, and enterprise.
For more information on the event, please visit: https://foodanddrink.gtcoplc.com
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