E-Financial
Visa Unveils Interactive Fan Engagements, In-Stadium Technology
Visa, the global leader in payments, and FIFA’s exclusive Financial Services partner for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, on Friday shared its global FIFA World Cup activation program, which will enhance the sporting experience for millions of fans, clients and partners in 104 countries worldwide.
Engaging film and print spots featuring Nobel Peace Laureates, alongside dynamic and interactive social engagement programs, and a seamless in-stadium payment technology experience, enables fans at the tournament, or anywhere in the world, to be part of the FIFA World Cup celebration.
“Our goal is to make it easy, engaging and relevant for everyone, everywhere, to connect to the FIFA World Cup and be part of the collective experience,” said Charlie Scharf, chief executive officer, Visa Inc.
“From immersive fan engagement programs to innovative partnerships that help advance the next generation of payment technologies in Brazil, Visa is connecting more people than ever before with this momentous global event.
“Connecting World Cup Enthusiasts With Film and Print Featuring Nobel Peace Laureates
Visa is celebrating the FIFA World Cup through creative film and print advertisements that extend the reach of its new brand positioning, “Everywhere You Want to Be.”
Recognizing that the FIFA World Cup is an event that stirs national passions and unites people through their shared love of football, Visa created a series of commercials that underscore the notion that everyone, “everywhere” wants to be part of the tournament.
Debuting today, “United in Rivalry” depicts some of the world’s most prominent champions of peace – Nobel Peace Laureates – revealing their true competitive colors as they recall their favorite World Cup memories and discuss their country’s football rivals. Featuring Oscar Arias (Costa Rica, 1987 winner), Leymah Gbowee (Liberia, 2011 winner), Sir Bob Geldof (Ireland, 2006 nominee), David Trimble (Northern Ireland, 1998 winner) and Lech Walesa (Poland, 1983 winner), the spot explores the power of football to unite the world – in rivalry – for the five weeks of the FIFA World Cup.
“Rivalry was a fun theme to explore as part of our “Everywhere” campaign considering that everyone – even our most peaceful world leaders – want to be part of the World Cup celebration,” said Antonio Lucio, chief brand officer, Visa Inc.
“With this spot, we’re celebrating the one commonality we all have, despite our backgrounds, which is an unwavering passion for football.”
Other recently released commercials include “Restaurant” which stars former French player Zidane, who finds himself accidentally watching the FIFA World Cup in enemy territory at an Italian restaurant and“Unlikely Fans,” which showcases how people from all corners of the world -rugby players, salsa dancers, fishermen, actors, Olympic athletes and physicists –areunited in their passion for the game.
Visa also partnered with DreamWorks Animation, and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, to create print and digital media featuring popular film and television characters such as Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Shrek and The Simpsons, which show how even animated characters want to be part of the FIFA World Cup.
The Senate on Wednesday adopted the harmonised conference committee report on the four tax reform bills.
The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration and approval of the recommendations of the conference committee of both chambers set up to harmonize the Bills.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and leader of the Senate delegation in the conference committee, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, presented the report.
The four tax reforms Bills which were transmitted to the National Assembly in November last year by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu include: The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 583); Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 584); Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2025 (SB. 585); and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2025 (SB. 586).
In recognition of its exceptional contributions to innovative financial solutions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Fidelity Bank Plc has been awarded the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award in the Deposit Money Bank (DMB) category.
This prestigious accolade celebrates Fidelity Bank’s commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by MSMEs, a vital segment in Nigeria’s economic growth.
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, commented on the award, reaffirming the bank’s dedication to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs: “At Fidelity Bank, innovation is at the heart of our strategy to support MSMEs.
“This recognition underscores our commitment to developing scalable, inclusive, and technology-driven financial solutions that create positive outcomes for our nation’s entrepreneurs. We are honored to receive the DBN award and dedicate it to our loyal customers for their continued support.”
The award was presented at the 2025 Service Ambassadors’ Awards ceremony in Lagos, themed ‘Enhancing Partnership for MSME Resilience and Growth.’ Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director of DBN, emphasized the importance of financial institutions in transforming unbankable ideas into viable businesses through advisory services.
“You, our partners, are acknowledged and celebrated for your outreach to entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to scale. We appreciate you for your role in converting unbankable ideas into bankable businesses,” Okpanachi stated.
He noted that the award aims to recognize partners who make a significant impact, focusing on storytelling and the positive changes they bring to Nigeria.
This award joins a series of landmark initiatives by Fidelity Bank aimed at supporting MSMEs. Earlier in May, the bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to facilitate the expansion of Nigerian MSMEs across Africa.
Additionally, Fidelity Bank launched the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos—a multifunctional facility equipped with training halls, meeting rooms, networking spaces, and studios for music, photography, and content production.
This hub is designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building, essential elements for strengthening Nigeria’s SME ecosystem and driving economic growth.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.
Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has launched a new feature called Advance Top-Up on its USSD banking platform *919#, which is designed to provide instant access to airtime and data for its customers especially when they are out of call credit or disconnected from the internet.
The new feature which was unveiled at the UBA head office in Marina recently, allows customers to borrow airtime or data directly from their mobile devices, offering a fast, dependable solution.
Shamsideen Fashola, group head, Retail and Digital Banking, UBA, who spoke during the official launch, described the feature as a timely addition to the bank’s digital offerings and a testament to the its customer-first approach.
“At UBA, we are constantly looking for ways to make banking and everyday services more accessible for our customers. With the launch of Advance Top-Up on our USSD platform, *919#, we are giving our customers the power to stay connected without interruption, regardless of time, location, or airtime balance,” Shamsideen said.
UBA’s Advance Top-Up which is now live on *919#, joins a wide range of services on the platform, which include airtime and data purchases, money transfers to UBA and other banks, account balance checks, card blocking and freezing, online transaction controls, bill payments, and more.
Fashola emphasised the simplicity and convenience of the solution, adding that “You don’t need to download an app or visit a data centre. Just dial *919#, follow the prompt, and you’re immediately connected. It’s simple, fast, and reliable.”
Alero Ladipo, Bank’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, added that the feature was developed based on real feedback from customers and their evolving needs.
“Our users asked for a way to stay connected when they have no airtime, and as always, we have come up with a quick solution, right there on their phones, instantly, with no fuss, and no need for internet connectivity. Whether for emergency communications or business continuity, *919# puts instant connectivity in every customer’s hands,” she explained.
She explained that only recently, the bank unveiled its newly improved Point of Sale (POS) Terminal as well as the UBA MONI App to redefine the digital payment landscape and empower small and Medium Scale Enterprises across Africa.
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