Wema Bank has announced the final call for entries for its 2026 One-Day MD/CEO initiative, a Children’s Day programme that gives Nigerian children and teenagers the opportunity to serve as the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for one day.

The bank said submissions close on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, with interested participants urged to submit their entries before the deadline.

The initiative, first launched in 2025 during Wema Bank’s 80th anniversary celebrations, was designed to inspire leadership, creativity and ambition among young Nigerians.

Why the Initiative Matters

The competition is part of Wema Bank’s broader campaign themed “80 Years of Impact, A Future of Possibilities.”

According to the bank, the project seeks to connect young Nigerians with leadership opportunities and expose them to executive decision-making at an early age.

The winner will spend Monday, May 25, 2026, acting as the bank’s MD/CEO during the Children’s Day celebration.

The selected child will participate in board-level activities, observe strategic meetings and experience the responsibilities involved in managing one of Nigeria’s oldest indigenous financial institutions.

Wema Bank is widely known as the pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT.

How Children Can Participate

To enter the competition, children and teenagers aged 0 to 16 are expected to create a 60-second video explaining:

Their ideal role in banking

What they hope to achieve in the future

Participants must post the video on social media using the hashtag #EvolutionOfPossibilities while tagging Wema Bank’s official social media account, @wemabank.

The bank said the participant with the highest number of likes will emerge winner.

Recall of 2025 Winner

The initiative generated widespread attention during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration after 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah emerged winner.

The campaign trended across social media platforms, with many parents and education advocates praising the programme for promoting youth empowerment and leadership development.

The bank says this year’s edition will be bigger and more competitive.

“The initiative served as a bridge between past and future, giving children across Nigeria the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the MD/CEO of Wema Bank for one day,” the bank stated.

Industry and Public Perspective

Youth development advocates say initiatives like this can help children build confidence and career awareness at an early stage.

Education stakeholders have increasingly encouraged Nigerian companies to invest in mentorship and experiential learning programmes, especially as digital banking and technology continue reshaping the country’s workforce.

Analysts also note that campaigns focused on children and innovation can strengthen brand loyalty while encouraging financial literacy among younger Nigerians.

What Happens Next?

The winning child will officially assume the symbolic role of Wema Bank’s Managing Director/CEO on May 25, 2026, ahead of Children’s Day celebrations nationwide on May 27.

Parents and guardians have also been encouraged to support children participating before the submission window closes.

Further details are available on the bank’s verified social media pages.

https://www.wemabank.com

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc has announced a sharp rise in profits and assets, with the group’s total assets surpassing ₦4 trillion in the first quarter of 2026.

The financial services group released its audited full-year 2025 results alongside unaudited Q1 2026 figures, showing strong earnings growth, balance sheet expansion and improved capital strength across its businesses.

According to the company, gross earnings for the 2025 financial year rose by 44.4% to ₦486.8 billion, while profit before tax climbed by 89.2% to ₦86.8 billion.

Profit after tax also increased significantly, rising by 74.8% to ₦76.3 billion.

The group’s balance sheet expanded during the period, with total assets reaching ₦3.91 trillion by the end of 2025. Customer deposits rose to ₦2.98 trillion, while loans and advances closed at ₦1.41 trillion.

Shareholders’ funds also increased by 40.5% to ₦428.7 billion.

Assets Cross ₦4 Trillion in First Quarter of 2026

Sterling Financial said it sustained the momentum into 2026, crossing the ₦4 trillion asset threshold for the first time.

Total assets stood at ₦4.07 trillion in Q1 2026, while gross earnings increased by 41.6% year-on-year to ₦134.8 billion.

Net interest income rose by 36.8% to ₦64.9 billion during the quarter.

Operating income reached ₦93.4 billion, while profit before tax grew by 52.8% to ₦27.9 billion.

Profit after tax for the quarter stood at ₦23.4 billion.

The group added that shareholders’ funds strengthened further to ₦542.5 billion following the completion of its recapitalisation programme.

‘We Remain Focused on Long-Term Value’ — Group CEO

Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director of Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, Yemi Odubiyi, said the performance reflected growth across the group’s major business lines.

“Our FY2025 and Q1 2026 results reflect continued growth across the Group’s core businesses, supported by disciplined execution, improved operating efficiency, and a strengthened capital position.

“The successful completion of our recapitalisation programme positions the Group for the next phase of growth across our commercial banking, non-interest banking, and wealth-management businesses.

“We remain focused on sustaining growth, strengthening our balance sheet and delivering long-term value across our diversified platform.”

The Group Chief Financial Officer, Adebimpe Olambiwonnu, also highlighted the strong earnings growth recorded during the reporting period.

Why It Matters

The results come at a time when Nigerian banks are under pressure to strengthen capital positions following regulatory reforms and changing economic conditions.

Analysts say stronger capital buffers and asset growth could help financial institutions expand lending, improve investor confidence and compete more effectively in digital banking and wealth management services.

Sterling Financial’s performance also reflects growing competition within Nigeria’s financial sector as banks diversify into non-interest banking, investment management and technology-driven financial services.

The expansion of subsidiaries including Sterling Bank Limited, The Alternative Bank Limited and SterlingFI Wealth Management signals the group’s broader strategy to increase market share across multiple financial segments.

Industry Perspective

Financial market observers say the crossing of the ₦4 trillion asset mark places Sterling Financial among the fast-growing banking groups in Nigeria.

Economists also note that sustained profitability in the banking sector remains important for supporting business lending, infrastructure financing and broader economic activity.

The banking industry has experienced strong earnings growth in recent years, driven partly by higher interest rates, digital banking expansion and increased customer deposits.

However, analysts warn that inflationary pressures, foreign exchange volatility and regulatory costs remain key risks facing the sector in 2026.

What’s Next for Sterling Financial?

The company said it plans to build on its stronger capital position and expand operations across commercial banking, non-interest banking and wealth management.

Sterling Financial added that it would continue focusing on innovation, financial inclusion and customer-focused services as competition intensifies across Nigeria’s banking industry.

The group, which traces its heritage back more than six decades, said it remains committed to sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value.

Women-focused banking platform SARA By Wema has selected Enatta Foundation founder, Mrs Adi Okuyelu, as one of the mentors for its 2026 mentorship programme aimed at supporting personal growth, entrepreneurship, career development, and skills enhancement for women and young professionals.

The announcement was made through a LinkedIn post published by Enatta Foundation, which described the appointment as a significant step in expanding mentorship opportunities for underserved communities.

According to the Foundation, Mrs Okuyelu’s selection reflects her years of work supporting women and vulnerable groups through empowerment initiatives and community development programmes.

“Mama Enatta’s work with women in underserved communities aligns perfectly with Sara by Wema’s mission to unlock potential and create sustainable growth,” the Foundation said in the post.

The organisation added:

“From riverine communities to boardrooms, we believe that when you invest in someone’s potential, you transform entire communities.”

Why the mentorship programme matters

SARA By Wema, a women-focused initiative of Wema Bank, has continued to position itself as a platform for female empowerment, financial inclusion, leadership training, and entrepreneurship support across Nigeria.

Industry analysts say mentorship programmes have become increasingly important as young entrepreneurs and professionals seek guidance, access to networks, and practical career support in a challenging economic climate.

Development experts also note that mentorship initiatives targeting women and underserved communities can help close gaps in leadership representation and economic participation.

Mrs Okuyelu’s inclusion in the programme is expected to bring grassroots development experience into conversations around leadership, enterprise growth, and social impact.

Focus on women, youth empowerment

Enatta Foundation has built a reputation around supporting women and young people in underserved communities through education, advocacy, and empowerment initiatives.

The Foundation said the partnership aligns with its broader mission of transforming lives through opportunity creation and mentorship.

Observers say collaborations between financial institutions and non-profit organisations are becoming more common as businesses increasingly invest in social impact programmes alongside traditional banking services.

Registration details

Interested participants can register for the mentorship programme through the official registration link shared by the Foundation:

Register for the SARA By Wema Mentorship Programme; https://lnkd.in/equEtcCp

What’s next?

The mentorship programme is expected to feature sessions on leadership, entrepreneurship, career development, and personal growth throughout 2026.

Participants are also expected to gain access to networking opportunities, mentorship circles, and industry insights from experienced professionals across sectors.