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Start-up African Entrepreneurs: Apply for the 2020 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme

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6 years ago

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·         Sixth Year of Programme and Tenth Anniversary of Foundation see Significant Enhancements to the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme

·         Creating a Personalised Entrepreneurship Journey for Applicants and Greatly Increased Access to Programme and Knowledge Base

Applications made through TEFConnect, Africa’s largest digital entrepreneurship network

Image Caption – Tony O. Elumelu, CON, Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation and Dr. Awele Elumelu, Trustee, Tony Elumelu Foundation surrounded by African Entrepreneurs at the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has opened its application portal (www.tefconnect.com) for applications from African entrepreneurs across all African countries, for the 2020 cohort of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme. In 2019, 3,050 African entrepreneurs benefited from the Programme, a number which will meaningfully increase in 2020.    The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open to startup entrepreneurs, with innovative business ideas or businesses that have been in existence for less than 3 years, in any sector, from across Africa. The Programme is the $100 million commitment by African investor and philanthropist, Tony O. Elumelu to empower 10,000 entrepreneurs in 10 years, with the goal of creating millions of jobs and new revenue on the continent. The programme implements Mr Elumelu’s Africapitalism philosophy, which positions the private sector as the catalyst for African economic transformation, and an investment approach that values the creation of both social and economic wealth.    In commemoration of its 10th year anniversary, the Foundation will announce further enhancements to the Programme, providing additional benefits to Africa’s rapidly growing youth demographic. The changes in the 2020 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme emphasise a personalised entrepreneurship journey for every applicant and opening the platform to ensure a higher number of people trained, amplifying the Programme’s impact and reach. In just five years, the Programme has empowered over 9,000 beneficiaries from all 54 African countries, with training, mentorship and seed funding.   Speaking at the launch of the 2020 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, said: “The transformation of Africa begins with empowering our young African entrepreneurs. With the recent enhancements made to our Programme and our growing list of partners, the Tony Elumelu Foundation is significantly increasing its impact across the continent. We encourage all startup African entrepreneurs across the 54 African countries to apply for the Programme, as we continue to empower the very best ideas that will create the much needed employment and revenue on the continent”.  The multilingual Application Portal is open on TEFConnect.com, the digital networking platform for African entrepreneurs, from January 1 to March 1, 2020.

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ZENITHBANKPARTNERSLAWMA,LASWATOCOMMEMORATEWORLDENVIRONMENT DAY 2026 WITH TWO-PHASE LAGOS CLEAN-UP

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2 days ago

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June 5, 2026

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Inlinewithitscommitmenttoenvironmentalsustainabilityandresponsiblebusinesspractices,
ZenithBankPlchascommemoratedthe2026WorldEnvironmentDaywithatwo-phase
environmental clean-up initiative in LagosState, held under theglobal theme “Inspired by Nature.
For Climate. For Our Future.”
The first phase was a morning clean-upconducted by staff of the Bank on Wednesday,3 June
2026, along Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exercise mobilised employees to
clear waste, sensitise residents on proper disposal practices, and reinforce the Bank’s culture of
community service and environmental stewardship.
Thesecondphase,onThursday,4June2026,featuredawaterwaysclean-upattheFalomo
Waterways, Ikoyi, Lagos, executed in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority
(LAWMA)andtheLagosStateWaterwaysAuthority(LASWA).Thejointeffortfocusedon
removingmarinedebris,promotingcleanerwaterways,andsupportingtheState’sbroader
climate-resilience agenda.
Speakingontheinitiative,DameDr.AdaoraUmeoji,OON,GroupManagingDirector/CEOof
Zenith Bank Plc, said: “At Zenith Bank, sustainability is integral to how we operate. Clearing our
streetsandourwaterwaysisapracticalreminderthatprotectingtheenvironmentisashared
responsibility – and one we are proud to take up alongside LAWMA and LASWA. Through these
exercises, we aretaking deliberate action topreserve our communities,support climate action,
andinspireotherstoact.Ouroperationswillcontinuetoalignwithglobalenvironmental
standards as we build a more sustainable future for Nigeria and Africa.”
ZenithBankremainscommittedtoembeddingEnvironmental,SocialandGovernance(ESG)
principles across its operations, investing in green initiatives, energy efficiency, and community-
focused programmes. These efforts advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
–particularlySDG7(AffordableandCleanEnergy),SDG11(SustainableCitiesand
Communities)andSDG13(ClimateAction).Sustainabilityremainsanoperationalimperative
across the Bank’s Nigerian base and its broader African, UK and European footprints
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ZENITH BANK RENEWS COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN WITH EDUCATION, INCLUSION & OPPORTUNITY AT THE CORE

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2 weeks ago

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May 26, 2026

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  • Much more than commemorating the annual Children’s Day marked every May 27, Zenith Bank Plc is championing the
    narrativethatchildrenarethetrueleadersoftomorrow.TheBankhasdeepeneditsinvestmentincarefullycurated
    initiativesthatelevatechildrenacrosseducation,financialliteracy,health,digitalinclusion,andsocialprotection,
    building a generation equipped to thrive and lead. For Zenith Bank, every child matters, and the Bank’s footprint reflects
    a deliberate, pan-African strategy to nurture potential from the earliest age.
    Zenith Bank has been the financial institution partner to Kiddies Corner on Inspiration 92.3FM Lagos for over three
    years, anchoring the Tuesday edition and Zenith Financial Literacy Friday show. The programme blends spelling bee
    contestswithfinancialliteracyquestions,creatingawarenessandonboardingchildrenintotheZenithChildren’s
    Account (ZECA). This partnership came alive at the Inspiration FM Children’s Day Carnival on Saturday, May 23, 2026,
    whereZenithBankhostedover1,000childrenandtheirparents,celebratingZECAwinnerswithgames,skits,and
    Zenith Bank branded gifts.
    The Bank’s Zenith Financial Literacy Week, held quarterly, takes this mission into select schools across all 36 states
    andtheFCT.Studentsaretrainedonsavings,budgeting,basicinvestments,anditsretailproducts,withthetop
    performer in each school awarded N50,000. Complementing this is the Bank’s nationwide Financial Literacy Program
    undertheCBN-mandatedGlobalMoneyWeek,whichin2025alonereached3,622studentsacross22LGAs,
    deploying 137 bank employee volunteers as educators.
    In alignment with the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education, Zenith Bank
    hasdonatedstate-of-the-artICTcentresandcomputersystemstoschoolsanduniversitiesnationwide,includinga
    ComputerCentretoBamainaAcademy,Dutse,JigawaState.Itstransformativeinterventionsincludefullyequipped
    libraries,vocationalfacilities,andlarge-scaleschoolrenovations,fromOjotaSecondarySchoolandVictoriaIsland
    Secondary School in Lagos to Hugallawa Primary School in Jigawa. Targeted financial support further breaks barriers
    with N1 million cash donation to Louisville Girls High School, Ijebu-Itele, supporting girl-child education; infrastructure
    upgrades at Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School; a N1 million scholarship endowment for St. Francis Catholic
    Secondary School; and support for the North-East Children’s Fund to aid education in conflict-affected communities.
    Through its Primary Healthcare Centre Initiative across all 774 LGAs, Zenith Bank educates parents on early childhood
    savings during routine visits, linking health and financial well-being. The “PAD-A-QUEEN” Initiative commemorates the
    International Day of the Girl Child, reaching5,000 girls in 10 schools withsanitary pads, hygiene kits, and menstrual
    health education to keep girls in school and promote SDGs 3, 4, and 5.
    The Bank’s compassion extends to the most vulnerable. At Bethesda Home and School for the Blind, Idi Oro, Lagos,
    Zenith donatedbraille materials,food, and toiletries.For the2026 InternationalDay forStreet Children,it partneredwith
    Bosco Child Protection Centre on medical check-ups, food, clothing, and counseling. Annual Christmas Charity Visits to
    orphanagesdelivercash,toys,andessentialsupplies,whilesupportfortheSmileandShineChildrenFoundation’s
    Strive Conference empowers over 2,000 adolescents with life skills and leadership training.
    Commenting on the Bank’s intentionality towards the development of children, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group
    Managing Director/CEO, ZenithBank Plc, said, “AtZenith Bank, weare deliberate about initiativesthat elevate children
    becausetheyarenotjustourfuture,theyareourpresentresponsibility.AsWhitneyHoustonsopoignantlysang,‘I
    believethechildrenarethefuture,teachthemwellandletthemleadtheway.’Thatisthephilosophydrivingour
    investmentsineducation,financialliteracy,health,anddigitalinclusion.FromKiddiesCornertoICTcentres,from
    PHCs to orphanages, we are teaching them well, equipping them early, and giving them the tools to lead. Zenith Bank
    renews its commitment to every Nigerian child, to nurture their dreams, protect their dignity, and secure their tomorrow.”
    Championing youth expression, the Zenith Annual Youth Parade, hosted by the Bank for 19 years, stands as a flagship
    Corporate Social Responsibilityinitiative. Bringing togetherthousands of childrenand teenagers in avibrant showcase
    of unity and discipline, the parade has remained dedicated since inception to the vital mission of supporting, nurturing,
  • andempoweringtheNigerianchild,reinforcingtheBank’sbeliefthatleadershipislearnedearlythroughteamwork,
    confidence, and celebration of young Nigerian identity.
    ForZenithBank,Children’sDayismorethanadateonthecalendar.Itisadailypledgetoempower,protect,and
    prepareNigeria’schildrenforleadership.Fromclassroomstocommunities, the Bank’s initiatives are teaching them well
    and letting them lead the way because the future belongs to children who are equipped today.
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ZENITH BANK APPOINTS ENGR. MUSTAFA BELLO AS CHAIRMAN AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

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1 month ago

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May 6, 2026

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Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Engr. Mustafa Bello as the Chairman of its Board of
Directors.Theappointment,whichtakesimmediateeffect,hasbeenapprovedbytheCentralBankof
Nigeria (CBN) and ratified by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on May 5, 2026.
Engr.Bello’sappointmentrepresentsastrategicsteptoensurethecontinuity,stability,andsustained
effectivenessoftheBoard,whilereinforcingthehighstandardsofcorporategovernance,regulatory
compliance,andstrategicoversightforwhichZenithBankiswidelyrespected.HejoinedtheBoardof
Zenith Bank Plc on 29 December 2017 and has served on several Board committees, including the Board
Audit and Compliance Committee, Board Governance, Nomination and Renumeration Committee and as
Chairman of theBoard RiskManagementCommitteeuntilhisappointmentasChairmanof theBoardof
Directors.
He has extensive leadership experience at Board and executive levels, a strong understanding of corporate
governanceprinciplesandregulatoryexpectations,andaproventrackrecordinstrategicoversightand
organisationalgrowth.Hehasconsistentlydemonstratedintegrity,independenceandsoundjudgement,
qualities that distinguished him as the natural choice to lead the Board into its next chapter.
Engr. Mustafa Bello is a distinguished engineer, statesman and corporate leader. His career spans more
than four decades across the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. He served as Minister of
CommerceoftheFederalRepublicofNigeriafrom1999to2002underPresidentOlusegunObasanjo,
GCFR,whereheledthedevelopmentofNigeria’sWTO-consistentTradePolicy.Healsooversawthe
CorporateAffairsCommission(CAC)onlineprojectof2002,whichmodernisedthewaybusinesses
registerandoperateinthecountry.FromNovember2003toFebruary2014,heservedasExecutive
Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investments Promotion Commission (NIPC), where
hewasinstrumentalinattractingforeigndirectinvestmentintoNigeria,buildingmultilateralandbilateral
partnerships, and representing the Federal Government at international conferences and missions.
HegraduatedfromAhmaduBelloUniversity(ABU),Zaria,in1978withaB.Engr.inCivilEngineering
(SecondClassUpperDivision),winningtheShellPrizeforthebestprojectandthesisintheFacultyof
Engineering.HebeganhiscareerwiththeNigerianArmy’sDirectorateofQuarteringandEngineering
Service from 1978 to 1979, before joining the Niger State Housing Corporation as a Senior Civil Engineer
from 1980 to 1983.
HeiscurrentlytheChairmanofInvest-in-NorthernNigeriaLimited,aspecialpurposevehicleforthe
economic and social transformation of the Northern Nigerian economy, and has previously served on the
boards of Eskom Holdings Limited of the Republic of South Africa (2004 to 2008) and FrieslandCampina
WAMCO Nigeria Plc as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of
Engineers and a Registered Member of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) as
well as Fellow of the Academy of Natural Sciences & Engineering in Nigeria (ANSEN).
Zenith Bank stands among Africa’s leading financial institutions, with a strong capital base and operations
acrossNigeria,theUnitedKingdom,theUnitedArabEmirates,Ghana,SierraLeone,TheGambiaand
Côte d’Ivoire.
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