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MTN Foundation donates e-Library to OAU
….Adelusi-Adeluyi gifts personal library
To further encourage youth development, education and empowerment in the digital space, MTN Foundation, at a virtual event on July 30, handed over an e-library to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The e-library was named after former Secretary of Health, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, who is the chairman of MTN Foundation.
The university is the latest beneficiary of the e-library intervention by the MTN Foundation joining University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Nigeria and University of Benin.
Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi said the infrastructure would give students easy access to additional resources to broaden their learning.He thanked the foundation for supporting his book gift to the e-library.
“Buying books for me has been a lifelong investment and when it was time to give them away, my alma-mater, the Obafemi Awolowo University, came to mind. On speaking with the school librarian, it became necessary to equip the library with some digital resources and this was where the MTN Foundation came in.
“Brightening lives and empowering youths have always been a priority for us at the MTN Foundation. Providing adequate infrastructure for students to access quality education physically or virtually is of utmost importance. This is why we have worked together on this project to empower the students for a formidable future in the new digital era. The world has gone digital and we will not wait behind.”
Ag. Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said the foundation was honoured to name the library after the founder of Juli Pharmacy.
She said: “This particular library is special because it is tied to the legacy of a man we at the MTN Foundation hold in very high esteem. A man dedicated to the health and development of generations. It has been upgraded to deliver even more value for the students of this great institution. We trust that the symbolism of the inspirational leader who this library is named after is not lost on those who use it.”
Mrs. Sanya, who said 273 OAU students had benefitted from the foundation’s Science and Technology scholarship, added that it would also institute scholarship in Pharmacy and Law in Adelusi-Adeluyi’s honour.
“In honour of our chairman, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the MTN Foundation is instituting the Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR Prize for Pharmacy and Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR, mni Prize for Law. The three-year scholarship for Pharmacy and Law students will benefit eight outstanding scholars from universities across the country,” she said.
Reacting to the donation, the OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope 8Ogunbodede, said: “We are excited that the chairman, through the MTN Foundation, decided to bestow this honour on the Obafemi Awolowo University. What we have in the Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi e-Library has assisted us in obtaining the university’s accreditation, which earned us a hundred percent. We appreciate the MTN Foundation for this contribution and are committed to setting and implementing sustainable measures to ensure that these resources are put to the best use. This gesture will accelerate students’ learning and bridge the gap in areas where textbooks are not readily available.”
FirstBank, a leading financial institution and provider of financial inclusion services in West Africa, announces the achievement of ₦1 trillion in cumulative instant digital loan disbursements. This accomplishment further consolidates the Bank’s reputation for innovation, leadership in financial inclusion, and commitment to customer empowerment within.
Since its inaugural digital loan in August 2019, FirstBank has developed an unconventional and robust digital lending ecosystem designed with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to improve access to finance, especially to the high-risk customer segment. The Bank created a multi- channel loan disbursement service that requires no collaterals, zero documentation and is void of human interactions. Through its FirstAdvance, FirstCredit and AgentCredit products, 1.5 million unique borrowers enjoyed instant and secure access to credit. This is irrespective of whether they are salary earners, non-salary earners, or micro business owners. They also have the convenient options of accessing these loans through platforms such as *894# (FirstBank’s USSD service), FirstMobile, LitApp and the FirstMonie Agent App.
Regarding this milestone, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products at FirstBank, stated: “This success underscores our ongoing commitment to innovation and a customer-focused approach, which are central to FirstBank’s core values. Beyond achieving substantial figures, we remain dedicated to fostering opportunities for financial independence across Nigeria in particular, and in Africa at large.’’
He added, “We value the trust our customers place in us to support their financial aspirations. Our efforts to advance digital lending will persist, especially to the excluded and underserved customer segments, while effectively managing risks in the process.”
FirstBank currently disburses about N1 Billion daily in digital loans, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive, technology-driven future for Nigerians. By consistently investing in advanced technologies and developing customised financial solutions, the Bank seeks to improve the financial well-being of individuals and businesses across the nation.
FirstBank, the West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has strengthened its partnership with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) to reaffirm its commitment to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development. This ongoing partnership was reinforced at the recently concluded Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in Seville, Spain.
The FfD4 Conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and private sector experts to discuss innovative solutions to address the growing SDG financing gap and unlock capital for development in fragile and underserved regions.
FirstBank’s Chief Risk Officer, Patrick Akhidenor, represented the bank at the conference and highlighted two FirstBank flagship initiatives driving resilience finance in Nigeria: The Solar Equipment Financing initiative and the revamped FirstGem Fund. The Solar Equipment Financing initiative offers tailored financing options for the purchase and installation of solar power systems, ensuring access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions. The FirstGem Fund, a women-focused proposition, provides single-digit interest loans to women entrepreneurs without collateral requirements, targeting funding gaps in critical sectors.
‘’We are committed to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development,” said Patrick Akhidenor. “Our partnership with UNGC and participation in the FfD4 Conference demonstrate our dedication to innovative finance solutions that address the SDG financing gap.”
Sanda Ojambo, CEO of UNGC, emphasized the need for innovative, inclusive financial models for underserved regions. “The private sector must play a central role in shaping fit-for-purpose, scalable finance solutions,” she said. “De-risking tools and blended finance can help unlock capital and drive meaningful impact.
FirstBank’s partnership with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and its SMEConnect hub demonstrate its capacity to lead efforts in sustainable finance. The bank provides training, networking, and tailored financing to SMEs across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and retail
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