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E-Financial

Experts @ Polaris Bank Webinar Outline Strategies for Women to Build Wealth

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Three accomplished Nigerians and leading authorities in government and finance sectors; Yewande Sadiku, Osayi Alile and Teju Abisoye have jointly enjoined Nigerian women to explore multiple investment opportunities available to build a sustainable wealth that would last generations.

Experts @ Polaris Bank Webinar Outline Strategies for Women to Build Wealth

The trio gave the advice at a webinar organised by Polaris Bank on Tuesday in Lagos as part of activities lined up to celebrate the Women’s Month in line with the International Women’s Day celebration with the theme #choosetochallenge.

The webinar which held under the aegis of the Bank’s gender-based product, Polaris Pearl, focused on understanding the role of investment in wealth creation and the importance of taking financial responsibility.

According to Ms. Sadiku, executive secretary of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), “For women to attain financial fitness, they have to build passive income and focus on multiple investment streams to realise the future of their dreams”.

Drawing a metaphor, the NIPC Boss and erstwhile senior Investment Banker explained that “In building passive income, you shouldn’t eat your seed, rather, plant it and let it grow to a tree, so you can have many more to eat, plant and grow”.

Using personal examples to illustrate how she built her wealth starting out as a young Banker at age 20, Ms. Sadiku explained that she seized the moment and had a vision of the life she wanted to live and started building passive income through multiple investment windows; setting aside a chunk of her earnings in buying stocks, investing in mutual funds as well as putting away her bonuses and salary increments in fixed deposits, which she later invested in landed properties and real estate.

On her own part, Ms. Alile, who runs Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, tasked Nigerian women to start saving from the moment they become conscious of the need to attain financial fitness. She urged them not to be in unnecessary competition that brings little or no value in the long run.

“Follow your lane and build a solid foundation that will stand the test of time especially when challenges come”, Ms. Alile advised.

She further reinforced the advantage of starting out children on a solid financial foundation with gifts – in form of stocks and mutual funds – just like she had while growing up, which helped set her up on the right path.

She encouraged participants to start their financial fitness journey now and get help where needed.

In her own presentation, Mrs. Abisoye, the CEO of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, said that at LSTEF, they observed that women-run businesses have a larger impact on the community and society; adding that it is possible for women businesses to drive impact, making a case for empowering women for greater and more widespread economic impact.

She advised young ladies – either in paid or self-employment to start with the end in mind, stating that: “Once you begin with the end in mind, you are bound to succeed ultimately, even as she disclosed that there are multiple sources to fund a Start-Up as a budding entrepreneur.”

“You can grow wealth irrespective of employment status. You can start out with your personal savings and seed money from family and friends. She enjoined participants to start and grow their businesses before exploring the debt financing option. She further encouraged start-ups to use the acronym: S-service, I-impact, S-sales and I-investment as a mantra to ensure success as the eventual outcome.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Innocent C. Ike, acting managing director/CEO of Polaris Bank, explained that that the webinar was put together to address pertinent issues that border on ‘Women and Growing Wealth’.

Mr. Ike noted that women empowerment and development is core to our sustainability goals and a key focus area of “our social investments and business objective as a Bank. We have had some interventions in this area for impact”.

“Our partnership with the International Women’s Society, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Societal Healthcare Organisation, and a host of others, are all efforts geared towards empowerment of women,” he added.

The webinar which had over 1,000 participants following across multiple social platforms, was moderated by Mrs. Adebimpe Ihekuna, group head, Products and Market Development, Polaris Bank.

According to 2018 Credit Suisse Research Institute Global Wealth Report, women hold 40% of global wealth. The report stated that women’s share in wealth rose considerably over the 20th century.

Polaris Pearl is the Bank’s flagship gender-based product designed to cater to the banking needs of the everyday woman, with special focus on Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Homemakers.

The account is available in three (3) variants; Polaris Pearl Instant Account, Polaris Pearl Instant Plus Account and Polaris Pearl Account – Savings.

Polaris Bank is a future-determining Bank committed to delivering industry-defining products and services across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.


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E-Financial

Smartcash PSB Launches Access to Instant Motor Insurance via Leadway Assurance

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In continuation of its mission to make financial services simpler, faster, and more accessible, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, a subsidiary of Airtel Nigeria, has announced a strategic partnership with Leadway Assurance to offer Smartcash users an effortless access to Leadway’s mobile-friendly motor insurance service.

Starting from ₦15,000, this new offering provides a convenient and affordable way for motorists to stay protected and compliant with national insurance requirements. With this collaboration, new and existing Smartcash customers can now acquire or renew two types of Leadway Assurance motor insurance: the Third-Party Insurance and AutoBase Comprehensive Insurance, directly on the Smartcash app or by dialling *939#.

While the third-party motor insurance plan offers the legally required minimum cover, protecting motorists from liability for damages or injuries caused to others, the AutoBase Comprehensive Insurance plan extends that protection to cover the user’s own vehicle in the event of accidents.

Commenting on this partnership, Chief Executive Officer, Smartcash PSB, Tunde Kuponiyi highlighted the importance of the collaboration in driving convenient and inclusive insurance access for Nigerians.

“At Smartcash, our goal has always been to bring inclusive financial solutions closer to everyday Nigerians. By partnering with Leadway Assurance, we’re making it easier for motorists to insure their vehicles without stress or delays. It’s insurance that moves at your speed,” he said.

He also noted that Smartcash users can complete the entire purchase process in under three minutes, from plan selection to payment with no physical paperwork or documentation required. Customers receive instant confirmation and their digital policy documents via email, making insurance more accessible than ever.

Also speaking on the partnership, Kike Fischer, Director, Sales, Retail and Partnership, Leadway Assurance, added: “At Leadway, innovation and exceptional service are at the core of our mission to deepen insurance penetration and inclusion.

“This collaboration with SmartCash enables us to deliver real-time protection to more Nigerians via a trusted, everyday platform. It marks a bold step in transforming how insurance is accessed and experienced across the country.”

The insurance integrated service is also fully inclusive, as it works across all types of mobile phones. Users without smartphones or internet access can access the same features via USSD, ensuring nationwide reach, especially in rural and underserved areas.

This partnership reinforces Smartcash’s commitment to delivering digital-first financial services that meet the real-world needs of Nigerians. By simplifying access to essential products like motor insurance, Smartcash continues to empower users with tools that protect, support, and uplift their daily lives.

 


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E-Financial

CBN Suspends Dividend, Bonus Payments for Banks under Forbearance

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has suspended dividend payments to shareholders and bonuses to directors and senior management staff of banks currently benefiting from regulatory forbearance.

CBN Suspends Dividend, Bonus Payments for Banks under Forbearance

Forbearance refers to the temporary reduction or postponement of payments, such as for loans or mortgages, usually introduced to give temporary relief to individuals, and corporations, including financial institutions encumbered by financial straits.

The directive was contained in a circular dated June 13, signed by Olubukola Akinwunmi, director of Banking Supervision, CBN.

According to the CBN, the move is part of efforts to strengthen capital buffers, enhance balance sheet resilience and promote prudent internal capital retention within the banking sector during what it described as a transitional period.

The regulatory forbearance arrangement, which allows banks some relief in meeting credit exposure and Single Obligor Limit (SOL) requirements, is currently being reviewed by the central bank in terms of capital positions and provisioning adequacy.

As part of this review, the CBN directed affected banks to suspend dividend payments, defer bonuses, and refrain from making investments in foreign subsidiaries or launching new offshore ventures.

“This temporary suspension is until such a time as the regulatory forbearance is fully exited and the banks’ capital adequacy and provisioning levels are independently verified to be fully compliant with prevailing standards,” the CBN said.

The bank added that the measure is to ensure that internal resources are retained to meet existing and future obligations and support “the orderly restoration of sound prudential positions.”

The CBN also said it will continue to monitor developments and engage with institutions as necessary.

The move comes amid efforts to tighten supervision across the financial system following recent banking sector reforms and recapitalisation directives.

 


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Fidelity Bank ED, Kevin Ugwuoke takes over as President of Risk Managers Association

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L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive, Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Victor Olannye; Divisional Head, Risk Management Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Grace Abioye; Immediate Past President, CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni; President, CRMI and Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kevin Ugwuoke; Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Amal Haruna; and Rep. Keynote speaker, Deputy Group Management Director, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Chukwuma Nweke; at the CRMI Conferment Handover/Sent-Forth ceremony, held in Lagos recently.
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Kevin Ugwuoke, Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, has formally assumed office as President of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI).

L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive, Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Victor Olannye; Divisional Head, Risk Management Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Grace Abioye; Immediate Past President, CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni; President, CRMI and Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kevin Ugwuoke; Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Amal Haruna; and Rep. Keynote speaker, Deputy Group Management Director, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Chukwuma Nweke; at the CRMI Conferment Handover/Sent-Forth ceremony, held in Lagos recently.

His leadership promises a reform-focused era anchored on policy advocacy, ethical standards, and digital innovation to deepen risk governance across sectors in the country.

Speaking during the presidential handover ceremony in Lagos over the weekend, Ugwuoke — who also doubles as acting President of the Federation of African Risk Management Associations (FARMA) — described his election as “a call to action.”

He pledged to reposition CRMI as a thought leader and institutional partner in shaping the future of risk management in Nigeria’s national development.

“Our mission is more than just certification; it’s about strengthening the culture of risk governance across sectors. We will collaborate with regulators, raise awareness, and provide practical tools to help organizations embed risk discipline at all levels.”

Ugwuoke outlined a five-pronged strategy to guide his administration: strengthening professional education and certification; deepening policy and regulatory engagement; accelerating digital transformation; integrating ESG and climate risk into corporate strategies; and mentoring the next generation of risk practitioners.

He explained that CRMI will align its initiatives with key policy institutions — including the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, the National Assembly, and sub-national governments — to help embed robust risk frameworks into economic development plans.

“We must integrate risk thinking into how we plan, govern, and invest. We will advocate for more inclusive regulations to empower small and medium enterprises, improve macroeconomic stability, and foster institutional resilience.”

Ugwuoke also announced plans to revise the Institute’s curriculum, introduce specialized certifications to reflect emerging risks, and implement a new National Risk Observatory to provide real-time risk data to both the public and private sectors.

“Digital innovation will be central to how CRMI operates going forward. We are automating our backend, delivering more virtual training, and employing technology to scale our impact across the country and beyond.”

In his remarks, the outgoing President of CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni, challenged the new leadership to consolidate on the achievements made under his tenure — from securing chartered status and strengthening partnerships to gaining greater international recognition — and take the Institute to the next level.

Also speaking on the occasion, Chukwuma Nweke, deputy managing director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, described Ugwuoke as a worthy successor.

“As Professor Oseni hands over the baton to Kevin Ugwuoke — a well-respected leader in the risk management ecosystem — we are assured CRMI is poised for greater achievements under his watch.”

Nweke stressed that growing economic uncertainties — from inflation and exchange rate volatility to growing debt — underscore the need for a more strategic view of risk. “Risk must be recognized not as a compliance obligation or a cost center but as a key enabler of resiliency and growth. Institutions that embed risk into their strategies will absorb shocks more effectively, unlock value, and inspire investor confidence.”

As part of the day’s ceremonies, 11 distinguished practitioners were conferred with the Fellow of Chartered Risk Manager (FCRMI) award, while 21 new members were formally inducted as Chartered Risk Managers (CRM). Furthermore, a new Governing Council was inaugurated to oversee the affairs of the Institute for the 2025–2027 term, marking a decisive step forward in institutional renewal and policy direction.


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