Wema Bank has unveiled a series of incentives and empowerment initiatives for children as part of its 2026 Children’s Day celebration, including birthday cash rewards, ₦100,000 examination prizes and nationwide STEM competitions.

The bank announced the initiatives during its Children’s Day Special Event held on Monday, 25 May 2026, where Wema Bank’s One-Day MD/CEO, Chinmamanda Diamond Ozoakpata, officially introduced the programmes.

According to the bank, the initiative is designed to strengthen leadership development, financial literacy, academic excellence and innovation among young Nigerians.

The programmes will be delivered through the Bank’s Royal Kiddies Account and the ALAT Xplore platform.

Children to receive birthday cash rewards

One of the major highlights is a year-long birthday reward initiative for children with active Royal Kiddies accounts.

Under the scheme, children turning five years old will receive ₦5,000, while those celebrating their 10th birthdays will automatically receive ₦10,000 as birthday gifts.

The initiative will run from May 2026 to May 2027.

The bank also stated that children who turned five or 10 before May 2026 would still qualify for the reward this month, provided their Royal Kiddies accounts remain active.

₦100,000 rewards for top examination candidates

In another major announcement, Wema Bank disclosed plans to reward the top 100 students in the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) with ₦100,000 each.

The initiative is scheduled to begin in June 2026 and is aimed at encouraging academic excellence among young learners across Nigeria.

To qualify, beneficiaries must maintain active Royal Kiddies accounts with the bank.

Education analysts say initiatives like this could help motivate students and provide financial support for families navigating rising education costs.

Parents and guardians may also see the programme as an incentive to encourage savings habits among children from an early age.

Bank launches financial literacy book for children

As part of efforts to improve financial education among young Nigerians, Wema Bank also launched “Money Adventures,” a financial literacy book designed for children aged six and above.

The book introduces children to saving culture, money management and responsible financial habits using simplified and age-appropriate lessons.

Children can access copies of the book through active Royal Kiddies accounts or by opening new accounts.

Financial experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of introducing financial literacy early, especially as digital banking adoption continues to grow among younger demographics in Nigeria.

STEM challenge targets secondary school students

The bank further announced the launch of the Evolve School Tour STEM Challenge through its ALAT Xplore platform.

The initiative is targeted at secondary school students aged 13 to 17 and will be hosted in six schools across Nigeria with established STEM programmes.

The challenge will include hands-on competitions and school engagements focused on innovation, technology awareness, financial literacy and responsible savings culture.

Winners are expected to receive monetary prizes.

Eligible participants must be ALAT Xplore customers and attend participating schools with active STEM programmes.

Why the initiative matters

The announcement reflects growing competition among Nigerian banks to attract younger customers through digital products, educational programmes and youth-focused financial services.

For Wema Bank, the initiative also signals a broader push to position itself as a family-focused and youth-oriented financial institution.

Over the past four years, the bank has expanded its Children’s Day activities through leadership experiences, school tours, financial literacy campaigns and its One-Day MD/CEO programme.

However, this marks the first time the bank is introducing:

A year-long Children’s Day initiative

Six-figure academic rewards

Nationwide STEM-focused school engagements

Dedicated financial literacy materials for children

Industry observers say the move could strengthen financial inclusion among children and teenagers while encouraging responsible banking habits from an early age.

What’s next?

The birthday reward initiative has already commenced and will continue until May 2027.

The ₦100,000 NCEE reward programme is expected to begin in June 2026, while details of participating schools for the STEM challenge are expected to be announced in the coming months.

Parents interested in the programmes are expected to activate or maintain Royal Kiddies and ALAT Xplore accounts for eligible children.

The Caring Heart Initiatives (CHI), the charity arm of the International Church of Christ, has donated educational materials and conducted tuberculosis screenings for more than 100 public primary school pupils in Shomolu Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The intervention, held on Tuesday in partnership with the Shomolu Local Government and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, combined healthcare awareness with back-to-school support for children in several public schools across the community.

Pupils from schools including St. Paul UNA Primary School, St. Augustine Primary School and Modupe Primary School participated in the programme, which featured the distribution of school bags, books and health checks.

Why the initiative matters

The programme comes amid growing concerns about access to quality education and preventive healthcare for children in underserved communities across Nigeria.

Public health experts have repeatedly warned that tuberculosis remains a major health concern in Nigeria, particularly where awareness and early detection are limited. Education advocates have also stressed the importance of improving access to learning materials for children in public schools.

Speaking during the event, CHI Board Chairman, Elder Imagbe Igbinoba, described the outreach as the beginning of a long-term partnership focused on supporting children’s development.

“We are grateful for the warm reception from the local government and all the officials. We are happy to be here. This is the beginning of a fruitful partnership that will help children go far in life,” he said.

He added that the organisation aimed to support government efforts to improve educational access, particularly for young children.

“We are here to support government in making education more accessible. A major focus for us is Early Childhood Development, particularly for children between the ages of zero and six years.”

According to Igbinoba, research shows that a large percentage of brain development occurs before the age of five, making early education and proper care essential.

“We are committed to making education more accessible across Lagos State through support and partnerships such as this,” he added.

Local government praises partnership

Also speaking at the event, Mrs Shakirat Ashimi commended the collaboration, describing the programme as both timely and impactful.

“We are grateful to CHI for the two-in-one educational and health programmes today through donations of educational relief materials including bags and books, as well as health checks and enlightenment about tuberculosis through partnership with the Institute of Virology,” she said.

Ashimi said the local government remained committed to improving primary healthcare and educational infrastructure within the area.

“Our vision is to make Shomolu primary schools places for learning and excellence.”

She also stressed the importance of early disease detection, noting that healthier children are more likely to perform better academically.

“Children should remain committed to their studies,” she advised.

Focus on vulnerable children

Chairperson of CHI’s Fundraising Committee, Dr Mrs Funmi Aina, said the outreach formed part of the organisation’s broader effort to support vulnerable children and families.

“At Caring Hearts, we believe that education is not only a basic right, but also a powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and creating long-term opportunities for children,” she said.

Aina explained that the programme was designed not only to provide immediate support but also to restore dignity and create better opportunities for children.

“This programme goes beyond providing school materials or immediate support; it is about restoring hope, promoting dignity, and creating an enabling environment for children to thrive.”

She said CHI had continued to support children through nutrition assistance, school support programmes and welfare interventions aimed at improving inclusion and learning outcomes.

“We strongly believe that every investment made in a child today is an investment in a stronger and more productive society tomorrow,” she stated.

Aina also called for stronger cooperation between governments, development organisations and philanthropists to ensure vulnerable children are not excluded from opportunities.

“At the heart of this programme is a simple but important objective: to ensure that no child is left behind, regardless of their background or circumstances.”

Growing intersection of education and public health

The Shomolu outreach reflects a growing trend among non-governmental organisations and community groups to combine education support with preventive healthcare initiatives.

Experts say integrating health screenings into school programmes can help improve attendance, learning outcomes and early diagnosis of infectious diseases among children.

Community stakeholders at the event also encouraged parents and guardians to remain actively involved in children’s education and wellbeing.

Dignitaries present included senior officials from CHI, the International Church of Christ, and Shomolu Local Government education and administrative departments.

Nestlé Nigeria has graduated 20 trainees from its Technical Training Centre in Abaji, Abuja, as the company concludes celebrations marking 15 years of its technical and vocational training initiative in Nigeria.

The latest graduation ceremony comes weeks after a similar event at the company’s Flowergate Factory in Sagamu, Ogun State, highlighting Nestlé’s continued investment in youth employability and industrial skills development in Nigeria.

The programme, which began at Nestlé’s Agbara factory in 2011, has expanded to Abaji and Flowergate, with the company saying it has invested more than ₦6 billion into the initiative over the past 15 years.

Why the programme matters

Nigeria continues to face rising youth unemployment and widening skills gaps in technical industries, particularly in manufacturing and engineering.

Nestlé Nigeria says its Technical Training Initiative is designed to bridge that gap by equipping young Nigerians with practical vocational skills and internationally recognised certifications.

The 18-month programme combines classroom learning with hands-on industrial experience in food technology, engineering, and manufacturing operations. Graduates receive the City & Guilds of London Technicians’ Certification, a qualification recognised internationally.

According to the company, 289 young Nigerians have graduated from the initiative since inception.

Nestlé also said it has maintained a strong employment transition rate, with about 98% of graduates moving into roles within the company after completing the programme.

Nestlé CEO urges graduates to embrace lifelong learning

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Nestlé Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Wassim Elhusseini, encouraged the graduates to remain resilient and adaptable in a changing industrial environment.

“As you graduate today, you are stepping into an industry that depends on skill, discipline, innovation, and excellence,” he said.

“The skills you have gained through this programme provide a strong foundation, but your success will depend on your willingness to keep learning, adapting, and applying yourselves.”

He added that meaningful careers are built gradually through “resilience, curiosity, and consistent performance”.

Equal gender representation praised

This year’s graduating class included 10 women and 10 men, a balance that drew praise from Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff.

Speaking at the event, he described the equal representation as an important signal for inclusion in technical education and industrial careers.

“One of the most inspiring aspects of today’s ceremony is the clear demonstration that technical excellence belongs equally to young women and young men,” he said.

“The equal representation we see among the graduates today is a powerful message about inclusion, opportunity, and the future of technical professionals.”

Industry groups back technical education push

Nestlé’s Country Human Resource Manager, Shakiru Lawal, described the programme as part of the company’s long-term commitment to youth development and workforce readiness.

“At Nestlé, youth development is not a one-off intervention; it is a long-term commitment to building skills, expanding opportunity, and preparing young people for the future of work,” he said.

Lawal said partnerships with organisations including the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), and the Swiss Embassy have helped strengthen the programme.

Director-General of the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, also reaffirmed support for continued collaboration with Nestlé Nigeria to improve technical skills training in the country.

Representatives from City & Guilds, government ministries, and traditional leaders from Abaji also attended the event and commended the company’s investment in youth empowerment and community development.

Youth employment remains a major challenge

The graduation comes at a time when youth employment and vocational education are receiving growing attention across Nigeria.

Experts say technical training and apprenticeship programmes are becoming increasingly important as industries seek workers with practical, job-ready skills.

Nestlé said the Technical Training Initiative forms part of its global “Nestlé Needs YOUth” programme launched in 2013, which aims to support 10 million young people worldwide by 2030.

In Nigeria, the company also runs programmes such as Nesternship, the Youth Development Programme, and Alliance for YOUth.

What’s next?

Nestlé Nigeria says it plans to continue expanding opportunities for young Nigerians through technical education, internships, and employability programmes.

Industry observers say private-sector investment in vocational training could help reduce unemployment while strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.