Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to community development with a comprehensive intervention at Heritage Homes Orphanage in Anthony Village, Lagos, aimed at improving the welfare and living conditions of children at the facility.

L-R: Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; Assistant General Manager, Heritage Homes Orphanage, Irene Light; and President, Audacious Inductees Class of 2026, Fidelity Bank Plc, Aanuoluwa Akinyemi; during the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP) Outreach at Heritage Homes Orphanage, Anthony, Lagos recently.

The intervention was carried out under the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), the bank’s employee-led Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative that enables staff to identify community needs, raise funds and receive matching support from the bank to execute impactful projects.

The outreach, championed by the bank’s Audacious Class of newly inducted employees, included renovation of damaged roofing and suspended ceilings, fumigation of the orphanage, donation of food items and payment of school fees for some of the children.

Speaking during the outreach, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, said the initiative reflected the bank’s commitment to empowering employees to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

According to him, the programme allows staff to devote their time, resources and expertise to projects that improve lives and create lasting social impact.

“The Audacious Class identified Heritage Homes Orphanage, assessed its most pressing needs and implemented three key interventions—infrastructural renovation, food donation and payment of school fees.

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“We are delighted to be part of their journey. Today, these children have a secure roof over their heads, access to essential food supplies and the assurance that their education will continue. This is the kind of sustainable impact the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme was designed to achieve,” he said.

Nwagboh reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life in communities where it operates.

Responding, the Assistant General Manager of Heritage Homes Orphanage, Mrs Irene Light, expressed appreciation to the bank, describing the intervention as timely and life-changing.

She said the renovation of the facility, provision of food items, fumigation and payment of school fees had brought relief and renewed hope to the children and management of the orphanage.

“We sincerely appreciate Fidelity Bank for this remarkable act of kindness. Their generosity has restored dignity to this home and created a safer, healthier and more conducive environment for our children,” she said.

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Light also prayed for the continued growth and success of the bank, commending its commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable members of society.

Fidelity Bank Plc serves more than 10 million customers through its digital banking platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank has received several local and international recognitions for its performance in retail banking, SME financing, trade finance, innovation and community development.

Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen significantly from about three billion dollars to 40 billion dollars, reflecting improved external liquidity and growing investor confidence following recent foreign exchange reforms.

The development has been attributed to a series of monetary and foreign exchange policy reforms aimed at improving transparency in the foreign exchange market, enhancing liquidity and attracting foreign capital into the economy.

Analysts said the increase in net reserves represents a major improvement in Nigeria’s external financial position and provides a stronger buffer against external economic shocks.

The foreign exchange reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) include measures to unify exchange rate windows, improve price discovery, clear outstanding foreign exchange obligations and strengthen market confidence.

Economic experts noted that the reforms have contributed to increased foreign portfolio inflows, improved access to foreign exchange and greater confidence among domestic and international investors.

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They said the stronger reserve position would support exchange rate stability, improve the country’s credit profile and enhance the CBN’s capacity to meet external obligations.

According to the experts, rising net reserves also strengthen Nigeria’s ability to finance imports, manage balance-of-payments pressures and cushion the economy against global financial uncertainties.

The improvement comes as the Federal Government continues to implement broader economic reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, boosting investment and accelerating economic growth.

Stakeholders, however, stressed the need to sustain policy consistency, increase non-oil exports and attract long-term foreign direct investment to preserve the gains recorded in the external sector.

They also urged continued efforts to diversify the economy, strengthen domestic production and improve export competitiveness to ensure sustainable growth in the country’s foreign reserves.

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The increase in net reserves is expected to reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s economy and support ongoing efforts to achieve fiscal and monetary stability.

Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by organising a beach cleanup exercise at Alpha Community Beach, Lekki, Lagos, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).

Union Bank

The exercise, held on July 3, formed part of the bank’s 2026 Employee Volunteer Day under its Employee Volunteering initiative powered by UnionCares, the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform.

The initiative brought together more than 50 employee volunteers, representatives of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and students of Rodan High School, Ajah, Lagos, to promote environmental conservation and cleaner coastlines.

The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), provided logistical support and ensured that all collected waste was sorted and disposed of in line with environmental best practices.

During the exercise, volunteers were divided into eight groups and collected more than 200 kilograms of waste from the beach, with the volume measured at the end of the exercise to demonstrate its environmental impact.

Speaking at the event, the bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs Olufunmilola Aluko, said the initiative reflected Union Bank’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

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“At Union Bank, we understand that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to playing our part.

“As the impact of climate change becomes more evident, initiatives like this allow our employees to take meaningful action, support cleaner communities and contribute to a more sustainable future,” she said.

According to the bank, the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal 14 on Life Below Water and Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.

Nigeria is estimated to generate about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with Lagos accounting for approximately 870,000 tonnes.

The bank noted that more than 88 per cent of the plastic waste generated in the country is not recycled, with a significant portion ending up in rivers, lagoons and oceans, threatening marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

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Union Bank said it would continue to promote partnerships and community engagement initiatives that support environmental sustainability and contribute to the well-being of communities across the country.