She assumed duty as the first female Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc in January 2021. In this short period, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe has positioned the bank on a path of constant growth and set the pace for economic transformation.
Gatekeepers News reports that the efforts of Onyeali-Ikpe who assumed office on January 1, 2021, is not just expanding the bank’s wealth, but remarkably contributing to the nation’s economic growth through financial inclusion, a key driver of extreme poverty reduction and shared prosperity.
A Global Findex Report for 2017 had stated that 57.8 million Nigerians are still unbanked and financially excluded nationwide.
In its bid to reverse the trend, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) target 95% financial inclusion by 2024, an aim being maintained by the Fidelity Bank’s ‘transformational leader’ Onyeali-Ikpe as she put in place initiatives that promote the nation.
Gatekeepers News reports that the initiatives include Fidelity Bank Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) campaign.
The ‘change agent’ leveraged innovation, creativity and exemplary leadership to expand the scheme, which has produced over 20 millionaires amongst a host of various winners over four consecutive seasons. GAIM rewards new and existing customers for opening a bank account, saving and managing a particular balance over a specific period.
The Fidelity Bank CEO who understands that children are most defenceless to economic blows and may lead to possibly abusive or exploitative methods, formulated with Fidelity instituted the Sweet account (SWEETA).
On the 27th of May, 2021, Onyeali-Ikpe, in celebration of this year’s Children’s Day, initiated the granting of a N150,000 cash reward to 62 lucky SWEETA holders.
The Bank explained that SWEETA is for everybody interested in forming a future for their children while enjoying a stream of benefits and rewards on their accounts.
To further boost financial inclusion, Fidelity Bank under her watch empowered SMEs for long-term business growth and success.
Gatekeepers News recall that in January 2021 the Bank hosted an SME National Capacity Building Webinar themed, “Funding and Financial Management for SMEs”.
The event had over 600 participants and also got positive reviews from attendees.
In March 2021, Onyeali-Ikpe’s organised another Webinar, themed “The New FX Policy, Implications and Positive Impact on Diaspora Investments”, which draws her closer to her seven-pronged agenda that includes stimulated growth, in March 2021.
The Diaspora Webinar had the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Godwin Emefiele in attendance.
There is no gainsaying that Onyeali-Ikpe has rendered extraordinary management that has further amplified the Bank’s payoff: “we keep our word”.
