Business
FG hails Moniepoint for empowering North East farmers with digital payments
The Federal Government has commended Moniepoint Inc. for showcasing the resilience of North East Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and empowering smallholder farmers with digital payment solutions.
The recognition came during a private screening of a case study and 12-minute documentary titled Inside Nigeria’s Food Chain, which highlighted how cultivation and distribution in the North East—particularly in Borno State—connect local farmers to wider national markets.
FG praises Moniepoint’s impact
Dr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs in the Office of the Vice President, said Moniepoint’s efforts were reshaping financial inclusion and agricultural resilience in rural Nigeria.
According to him:
“I am happy and thrilled at the many things that this documentary and case study captures. It’s an eye opener for people to be able to see all of the operations going on. I have firsthand experience at how Moniepoint is changing the market dynamics for good. It was heartwarming to see the economic and financial inclusion x-rayed in the video with a lot of digitization going on at the level with people who you’d not associate with technology adoption.”
He added that despite ongoing insecurity and economic pressures, the resilience of farmers in the North East remained striking.
“We can see the resilience that our people have demonstrated in churning out grains, livestock and agric produces. This work has also shown that our people are embracing modern and subsistence level farming. On the financial inclusion front, it is delightful to watch the confidence that the people have in digital payments and Moniepoint has done a fantastic job in deepening adoption across the country,” Fasua said.
Strengthening informal food networks
A key finding from the case study revealed that Nigeria’s trust-based food chain networks—built on generational knowledge and social capital—are more adaptable in crises than many formal institutions.
Speaking on Moniepoint’s vision, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Moniepoint Inc., Edidiong Uwemakpan, said the project was designed to humanize financial inclusion by linking transactions to real people.
“In view of the amounts that we process monthly as a business, we sought to peel back the layers on the naira and kobo and uncover the stories behind the transactions and what they mean for Nigeria. Moniepoint as a Nigerian company has been able to achieve such impact by adopting hyperlocal support to build trust with its users, tailoring our services to fit the existing lifestyle and trading habits of Nigerians.”
She also stressed that Borno State’s agricultural contributions are often overshadowed by insecurity narratives.
“The documentary does not only focus on showcasing Moniepoint’s role in supporting food distribution but also reveals the state’s agricultural diversity, which contributes significantly to feeding millions of Nigerians,” Uwemakpan said.
Experts applaud resilience story
Communications expert Tolu Ogunlesi, who attended the screening, applauded Moniepoint for reframing the North East’s story beyond insurgency.
“Watching the documentary, a lot of the towns mentioned became famous not for food but as Boko Haram affected regions. This project allows us to truly appreciate these areas for what they really contribute to the country’s socio-economic development and what they should actually be famous for. This is a part of Nigeria that has been traumatized by insecurity but they have demonstrated remarkable resilience such that when people sit in their homes and they are eating, they are reminded that some of these products come from the North East,” he said.
Stakeholders in attendance
The screening, held at Genesis Cinema in Abuja, drew critical stakeholders, including representatives from civil society organizations, the diplomatic community, policy-making institutions, security agencies, and the media.
Fidelity Bank Plc has created 20 new millionaires and rewarded 29 other customers with cash prizes in the seventh and eighth monthly draws of its Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) Season 6 savings promotion.
The draw event, held at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, also featured a formal prize presentation ceremony for winners from the fourth, fifth, and sixth monthly draws.
Speaking on behalf of the bank, Chioma Nwankwo, Regional Bank Head, Lagos Central, who represented Dr. Ken Opara, Executive Director for Lagos & South West and Chairperson of the promo, said the initiative was designed to promote responsible financial habits.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that financial well-being begins with cultivating smart saving habits. This belief inspired the GAIM 6 promo — a strategic initiative aimed at encouraging and rewarding a culture of consistent savings among our customers,” she said.
She further noted that the programme was not only about winning but about helping customers secure their financial future.
“For us, it is not just about winning but helping our customers to build a secure financial future. To ensure this, these winners also receive financial advisory to help them grow and manage their wealth effectively,” she added.
Nationwide Winners
L-R: Regional Bank Head, Lagos Central, Fidelity Bank Plc, Chioma Nwankwo; Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede; Principal Legal Officer, Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Oyinkan Kusamotu; Winners of the 4th, 5th and 6th monthly draws of the Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) 6 Promo – Stephanie Onome Gere, Itua Michael Ehinomen, Maduabuchi Kalu Anya, and Chioma Grace Nnodim; South-West Zonal Coordinator, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), Aboluwade Margaret; and Group Head, Savings and Retail Sales, Fidelity Bank Plc, Oladimeji Saka; during the prize presentation ceremony for the winners of the 4th, 5th and 6th monthly draws of the Fidelity Bank GAIM 6 promo held in Lagos recently.
The seventh and eighth monthly draws produced 10 winners each from different regions across Nigeria. The selection was conducted electronically and supervised by representatives from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and other regulatory bodies to ensure fairness and transparency.
During the ceremony, beneficiaries from earlier draws also received their ₦1 million prizes. They included Stephanie Onome Gere, Itua Michael Ehinomen, Maduabuchi Kalu Anya, and Chioma Grace Nnodim.
Expressing her excitement, Nnodim said:
“This is a life-changing moment for me. I had heard of others winning, but I never imagined I would become a millionaire just by saving consistently. I encourage all Nigerians to open a Fidelity Bank account and start saving – you never know when your alert will come.”
GAIM 6 at a Glance
The GAIM 6 savings promo, now in its final month before the grand finale, has so far disbursed ₦85.4 million to 2,561 customers nationwide. The breakdown includes:
₦60 million to 60 monthly winners
₦7 million to 700 student Flex account holders
₦4.5 million to nine NYSC members
₦1 million each on Women’s Day and Workers’ Day
₦10 million on Children’s Day
₦7.7 million shared among 1,550 weekly consolation winners
Bank Profile and Awards
Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 9.1 million customers via its digital platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria, and a subsidiary in the United Kingdom, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank’s recent accolades include:
2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award (BusinessDay BAFI Awards)
2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application (Global Business Outlook)
2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider (Global Brands Magazine)
Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria (Euromoney Awards for Excellence)
Export Financing Bank of the Year (BusinessDay BAFI Awards)
Business
Closeup Champions Real Human Connection at Lagos BFF Conference with ‘Closer Is Better’ Campaign
Closeup’s “Closer Is Better” campaign took centre stage at the Best Friends Forever (BFF) Conference on Saturday, 2 August 2025, transforming Alpha Hall, Ikosi, Lagos, into a vibrant hub of friendship, youth culture, and authentic connection.
The annual gathering, which celebrates shared experiences and the spirit of togetherness, became a perfect stage for the brand’s renewed vision — one rooted in self-confidence, authentic relationships, and the joy of closeness.
From the moment guests stepped into the venue, Closeup’s bold red-and-white installation became a focal point. The booth was alive with interactive games, prize wheel spins, dance-offs, and spontaneous moments that drew strangers together. Attendees lined up for photo booth sessions, while laughter and shared stories filled the air.
“Safe to say, what Closeup built that day was a hub where confidence was contagious and everyone was welcome,” the organisers said.
Inspiring Voices on Confidence and Friendship
The BFF Conference’s speaker line-up added depth to the lively atmosphere. Wellness coach Bunmi George, leadership strategist Debola Deji-Kurunmi, and pastors Yemi Davids and Godman Akinlabi delivered talks that explored identity, faith, courage, and the bonds that sustain friendships.
Their reflections resonated strongly with the audience.
“Real confidence begins within, and showing up for others starts with showing up for yourself,” one speaker noted — a sentiment that drew applause and nods from the crowd.
A Movement Beyond the Event
Through its participation, Closeup reaffirmed its commitment to creating spaces where young people can connect meaningfully. The “Closer Is Better” campaign, which encourages openness, self-expression, and embracing true identity, mirrors conversations already happening among young Nigerians about vulnerability, friendship, and self-worth.
The movement, the brand says, will keep evolving to inspire more opportunities for authentic connection.
“Because in life, closer is better,” a Closeup representative said.
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