Fidelity Bank Plc has distributed food packs to more than 1,500 residents in Surulere, Lagos, as part of its nationwide Food Bank initiative aimed at tackling hunger and supporting vulnerable communities.

The outreach was carried out in partnership with the Office of the Personal Assistant to the President on Constituency Affairs and the Sodiq Abiodun Ogundare (SAO) Foundation.

The initiative comes at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with rising living costs, inflation, and increasing food insecurity, making food intervention programmes more critical for low-income households.

Why the Initiative Matters

According to the bank, the Fidelity Food Bank initiative has distributed more than 150,000 food packs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones since its launch.

Speaking during the outreach event, Regional Bank Head, Victoria Island/Lekki, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Edekobi, represented by Branch Leader, Adeola Odeku Branch, Fidelity Bank Plc, Ifeyinwa Asomugha, said the programme reflects the bank’s broader commitment to community welfare.

“Today goes beyond the distribution of food items; it is about uplifting lives, creating opportunities, and strengthening our commitment to the wellbeing of families in this community,” he said.

Edekobi added that the intervention aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, which focuses on ending hunger.

“Today’s outreach has provided over 1,500 beneficiaries with essential feeding supplies that will help address hunger, support healthy living, and improve the overall wellbeing of families. This initiative also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2, which focuses on achieving Zero Hunger,” he added.

The bank also acknowledged the support of the Personal Assistant to the President on Constituency Affairs, Hon. Khadijat Kareem Omotayo, for helping facilitate the partnership.

Government Representative Praises Collaboration

Hon. Khadijat Kareem Omotayo described the initiative as a significant opportunity for residents in Surulere Constituency 1.

“I am very happy that the foundation is growing. Fidelity Bank are our people and I appreciate this collaboration that has brought this massive opportunity to our people in Surulere Constituency 1,” she stated.

She also expressed optimism about future collaborations with the bank and development partners to support more Nigerians facing economic challenges.

Community members and local stakeholders at the event reportedly described the outreach as timely, particularly as many families continue to struggle with the rising cost of food and household essentials.

Fidelity Bank’s Growing CSR Footprint

The Surulere outreach is the latest in a series of corporate social responsibility projects undertaken by Fidelity Bank.

The bank was recently named CSR Champion of the Year at the 2025 Independent Newspaper Awards, largely due to the impact of its Food Bank initiative.

Beyond humanitarian interventions, Fidelity Bank says it continues to invest in digital banking, SME financing, and export support services across Nigeria and the United Kingdom through its subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The lender currently serves more than 10 million customers through its digital platforms and 255 business offices.

Industry Perspective

Corporate social responsibility experts say food intervention programmes are becoming increasingly important in Nigeria as economic pressures deepen.

Analysts note that partnerships between financial institutions, government offices, and non-profit organisations can help expand social support networks while strengthening public trust in private sector institutions.

The Fidelity Food Bank initiative also reflects a growing trend among Nigerian banks to combine profitability with social impact programmes focused on education, healthcare, food security, and entrepreneurship.

What’s Next?

Fidelity Bank indicated that the Food Bank initiative will continue expanding to underserved communities across the country.

Observers say sustained interventions and stronger public-private partnerships could help cushion the effects of economic hardship for thousands of vulnerable Nigerians.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday commissioned the Onyearugbulem–Shagari/Irese Road Flyover and Junction Improvement Project in Akure, describing the infrastructure as a strategic development expected to improve transportation, reduce accidents, and stimulate economic growth in Ondo State.

The project, located along the Ilesha–Akure–Owo Expressway, is the first flyover bridge to be constructed in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Shettima said the flyover would improve traffic circulation, enhance road safety, and support commercial and industrial expansion along one of the region’s busiest transport corridors.

He praised the Ondo State Government for investing in infrastructure that addresses long-standing transportation challenges affecting commuters and businesses.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa said the project represented more than just a physical structure, describing it as a response to years of deadly congestion and economic disruption at the Irese junction.

“This development goes beyond physical infrastructure. It represents a deliberate effort to address long-standing traffic challenges, improve safety, and enhance economic productivity within the metropolis,” the governor said.

Why the flyover matters

For years, the intersection connecting the Onyearugbulem–Shagari axis with the Akure–Benin Expressway had been identified as a major accident hotspot and traffic bottleneck.

Residents and motorists frequently complained about long delays, gridlock, and road crashes, particularly during peak travel periods.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said the corridor serves as a major gateway into South-West Nigeria, making traffic efficiency critical for trade, movement of goods, and regional connectivity.

The governor added that the project was initially started under the administration of late former governor Rotimi Akeredolu and later sustained by his administration to ensure completion.

Transport and urban development analysts say flyover projects in growing state capitals can help reduce travel time, improve logistics, and attract new investments when combined with broader road infrastructure upgrades.

Flyover named after Pa Reuben Fasoranti at 100

During the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa announced that the flyover would be named after Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, who turned 100 on Monday.

The governor described the naming as recognition of Fasoranti’s contributions to national development and Yoruba leadership.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by Dapo Abiodun, members of the Ondo State Executive Council, traditional rulers, and security chiefs.

Ondo government highlights wider infrastructure push

Governor Aiyedatiwa said his administration had intensified infrastructure development across the state over the past year.

According to him, ongoing and completed projects include the dualisation of the Akure–Idanre Road, Akungba–Ikare Road, Okitipupa–Igbokoda Road, and College Road in Igbokoda.

He also said more than 100 kilometres of roads had undergone rehabilitation and asphalt overlay across Ondo State’s three senatorial districts.

Among the roads mentioned were Akure–Ijare Road, Akure–Imafon Road, Aiyegunle–Oka Road, and Igbotako Road.

“Quality infrastructure remains the backbone of economic growth, investment attraction, and improved quality of life,” Aiyedatiwa said.

The governor commended engineers, contractors, and indigenous professionals involved in the project, saying the flyover demonstrated local technical capacity.

Public and economic impact

Road users and businesses along the Akure corridor are expected to benefit from shorter travel times and reduced congestion.

Commercial transport operators have also expressed hope that improved traffic flow would lower fuel consumption and reduce delays in moving passengers and goods.

Infrastructure experts say sustained investment in urban transport systems could become increasingly important as Nigerian cities continue to expand rapidly.

What happens next?

The Ondo State Government says attention will now shift toward completing other ongoing road and urban renewal projects across the state.

Analysts say maintaining the new infrastructure and improving traffic management around adjoining roads will be critical to ensuring the flyover delivers long-term benefits.

Union Bank of Nigeria has won the Best SME Growth Banking Initiatives Award (2025) at the Nigeria National SME Business Awards, organised by the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) in partnership with the Lagos State Government.

The recognition highlights a growing shift in Nigeria’s banking sector, where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are prioritising speed, reliability and practical support over traditional banking scale.

Unlike previous awards that focused on product range, ASBON said its criteria centred on a key question: which banks are actually making it easier for entrepreneurs to operate?

Why it matters

SMEs are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, accounting for the majority of jobs and a significant share of economic activity.

But many business owners now define success less by expansion and more by stability — steady cashflow, reliable payments and timely access to financing.

For many entrepreneurs, delays in account setup, payment failures or slow loan approvals can mean missed opportunities or stalled operations.

Union Bank’s recognition comes as financial institutions face increasing pressure to respond to these day-to-day realities.

Faster onboarding and digital tools

One of the biggest barriers for SMEs has been slow account opening and onboarding processes.

Union Bank said it addressed this through upgrades to its Union360 platform and the rollout of a Straight-Through-Processing (STP) Digital Onboarding Platform.

The goal was to reduce the time between account opening and active transactions.

The bank said the improvements have shortened onboarding timelines, increased digital usage among SME customers and attracted new business clients.

Industry analysts say such changes are critical in a market where businesses often rely on multiple payment channels including transfers, POS systems and mobile money within a single day.

Financing beyond traditional collateral

Access to credit remains one of the biggest challenges for Nigerian SMEs, particularly for businesses without formal collateral or audited financial records.

Union Bank said it has adjusted its lending approach by placing more emphasis on transaction history, account activity and cashflow patterns.

This allows businesses with limited paperwork but active operations to qualify for financing.

Loans during the review period were largely directed toward working capital, inventory and operational expansion.

The human connection

Despite increased digitisation, experts say personal relationships still play a critical role in SME banking.

Union Bank said its SME strategy includes relationship managers, sales agents and branch networks across Nigeria.

Its “Adopt, Engage and Grow” campaign was designed to maintain continuous engagement with entrepreneurs rather than one-off interactions.

Partnership with ASBON

Union Bank’s recognition is also linked to its collaboration with ASBON through the SME Empowerment Challenge.

The initiative encouraged entrepreneurs to open or reactivate business accounts, maintain proper transaction records and develop structured growth plans.

Experts say this kind of discipline, separating personal and business finances and keeping clear records is essential for accessing loans, grants and contracts.

Industry reactions

Stakeholders say the award reflects a broader transformation in Nigeria’s financial sector.

Government-backed SME programmes have also increasingly emphasised financial inclusion and access to credit as key drivers of economic growth.

What’s next

As Nigeria’s economic environment remains challenging, SMEs are expected to demand even more responsive banking services.

Analysts say banks that invest in faster systems, flexible credit models and real customer engagement will be better positioned to capture the growing SME market.

Union Bank’s award, they add, may signal a competitive shift across the industry rather than a final destination.