By Constance Adaurie
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) through the Kano edition of its Quarterly Business Forum, which brought together entrepreneurs, business owners, industry stakeholders and customers to explore practical strategies for business growth and resilience.
The forum, themed, “Positioning Northern Businesses for Growth,” provided participants with valuable insights into strengthening business operations, improving access to finance, enhancing financial management and leveraging opportunities that can drive sustainable enterprise development across Northern Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director, North, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Sufiyanu Garba, described Northern Nigeria as a critical driver of the country’s economic future and stressed the need to unlock the region’s vast entrepreneurial potential through strategic support and partnerships.
“The North occupies a critical place in Nigeria’s economic future. With its vast agricultural resources, strong trading culture, manufacturing capacity and large consumer market, the region has enormous potential for sustainable economic growth. Fidelity Bank remains committed to helping businesses unlock this potential through financing, market access, advisory support and strategic partnerships,” he said.
Garba noted that the Quarterly Business Forum reflects the Bank’s commitment to empowering businesses beyond access to finance.
“Supporting businesses is central to our purpose, and our ambition is to be more than a provider of funds. We want to be a trusted partner that understands businesses and provides the financing, knowledge, connections and solutions they need to grow. Kano and the wider North have the talent, enterprise and resources to play a leading role in Nigeria’s economic future, and Fidelity Bank is committed to supporting that growth,” he emphasised.
In her remarks, Divisional Head, SME Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Ugochi Osinigwe, stated that the Quarterly Business Forum was created as a platform for engaging directly with entrepreneurs and understanding the realities confronting businesses across key sectors of the economy.
“This forum is more than an engagement; it is a listening platform. We are here to deepen our relationships, understand the unique challenges facing businesses across sectors and hear directly from entrepreneurs on how we can serve them better. Our commitment goes beyond traditional banking, as we continue to provide products, advisory services and partnerships that help businesses build, scale and thrive,” she said.
Osinigwe also highlighted Fidelity Bank’s commitment to reducing the cost of doing business for entrepreneurs through zero-maintenance-fee account offerings and free capacity-building programmes designed to equip business owners with practical skills in business structuring, record keeping, financial management and access to finance.
“We invest significantly in training because many SMEs struggle due to limited knowledge of essential business practices. Through our physical and digital learning platforms, we help entrepreneurs develop the skills required to become more structured, sustainable and bankable,” she noted.
Participants at the forum commended Fidelity Bank for creating a platform that delivers practical business insights and fosters meaningful engagement with entrepreneurs.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of I.G. Best Company, Mr. Okereke Ignatus Mmbonye, noted that Fidelity Bank’s support for SMEs extends beyond financing.
“Fidelity Bank has demonstrated that its commitment to SMEs goes beyond access to credit. Platforms such as this provide valuable knowledge and connections that can make a real difference to growing businesses,” he said.
Similarly, Managing Director of Nabila Oil Mills, Mr. Sufiyanu Salisu Ahmad, praised the Bank for creating opportunities for direct engagement between financial institutions and the business community.
“I appreciate Fidelity Bank for creating this platform to engage directly with entrepreneurs and understand the challenges we face. It is encouraging to see a bank take such a practical approach to supporting businesses,” Ahmad stated.
The Quarterly Business Forum is part of Fidelity Bank’s broader commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s SME ecosystem through access to finance, enterprise development, financial education, financial inclusion and strategic business support. It will be recalled that Fidelity Bank recently won the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Service Ambassadors Award for the Highest Impact on MSMEs Accessing Credit for the First Time, in recognition of its contribution to deepening financial inclusion, improving access to credit and supporting enterprise growth.
