Zenith Bank Plc has launched its maiden Girl-Child Empowerment Programme, bringing together 300 schoolgirls aged 13 to 17 from selected schools across Lagos for mentorship, financial education and personal development.
The programme, themed “Banking on Her Tomorrow,” was held on Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. It featured sessions on finance and investment, etiquette, social media ethics, personal development and healthy relationships.
The initiative was conceived by the bank’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, as part of efforts to nurture young girls’ potential and help them make informed decisions about their futures.
In her welcome address, Umeoji encouraged the participants to believe in their abilities, pursue their ambitions and remain focused and disciplined. She urged them to look beyond their present circumstances and envision the women they hoped to become.
“To all my amazing young ladies here today, each of you possesses gifts, talents, and ideas that are capable of revolutionising the world. You can revolutionise the world with your ideas,” she said.
She also cautioned against allowing gender or age to restrict their ambitions, encouraging the girls to explore their interests and give their chosen pursuits their best effort.
“Never allow gender or age to limit your goals. Whatever interests you today, explore it. Whatever you choose to pursue in life, give it your best shot,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, urged the girls to embrace their identities, develop resilience and use their abilities to make positive contributions to society.
Using the mangrove tree as a symbol of resilience, she explained that challenges should not determine their futures and that personal worth extends beyond academic performance and external expectations.
“Every time you affirm the truth about who you are, you are building confidence. Every time the tide of life goes out and you are still standing, you are building resilience. And every time you use your gifts for another person, you are discovering your purpose,” Olori Atuwatse III said.
The programme featured interactive sessions led by professionals from education, entertainment, finance and other fields.
Ayanime Edem, founder of The Elite Finishing School and modern etiquette educator, spoke on confidence, communication, self-presentation and etiquette. Nigerian actress and content creator Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori, popularly known as Kie Kie, addressed responsible social media use, authenticity and digital boundaries.
Zenith Bank representatives Thelma Okonye and Adesola Adeyemo introduced the participants to saving, responsible money management and investment, emphasising the importance of building sound financial habits early in life.
Nigerian filmmaker, creative executive and educator Praise Onyeagwalam, known as Director Pink, led a session on healthy relationships, self-awareness and effective communication.
The sessions encouraged the girls to participate actively, ask questions and discuss issues relevant to their experiences and aspirations.
The event also featured competitions, with cash prizes totalling more than ₦1 million awarded to winners. Participants received books to encourage reading and personal growth, while musical performances by Nigerian singers Qing Madi and No. 11 added to the programme.
The event was hosted by public speaker, communications coach and lawyer Temi Badru, with Darasimi Destiny Nadi serving as mini host.
Delivering the closing remarks, Zenith Bank Executive Director Dr. Mrs. Adobi Nwapa said the initiative reflected Umeoji’s commitment to empowering girls and would continue as an annual programme.
“The programme is the vision of our GMD/CEO, who conceived and championed it, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the empowerment of the girl child. Through her leadership, she has shown the girls what is possible when a woman dares to lead. At Zenith Bank, our commitment to the girl child extends beyond today, and we will continue to nurture their aspirations through this annual initiative,” she said.
Nwapa thanked the speakers and participants for contributing to the programme and encouraged the girls to apply the lessons learnt, remain confident and pursue their goals with determination.
The initiative builds on Zenith Bank’s existing programmes supporting women and girls, including its annual International Women’s Day Seminar, the Zenith Women’s Basketball League, the Women of Honour Awards in partnership with the Ford Foundation, the Pad-a-Queen Initiative and Z-Woman, which supports women-owned businesses through business assistance and access to credit at discounted rates.
Through “Banking on Her Tomorrow,” the bank is extending its empowerment efforts to a younger generation, with a focus on financial literacy, confidence, resilience and the skills needed to pursue future ambitions.
Follow us on:
Author
