A grocery seller in Plateau State has won ₦5 million in a nationwide consumer promotion by Nestlé Nigeria, as thousands of Nigerians shared in cash and gift prizes worth ₦80 million.

Ejiofor Akujieze emerged as the grand prize winner in the Golden Morn Golden Hunt campaign, a months-long initiative designed to reward loyal consumers of Golden Morn.

“I won ₦5 million, and it will go a long way,” Akujieze said, describing the moment as “a shock” that could help expand his small grocery business.

Why it matters

Consumer promotions like this are increasingly being used by major brands to deepen engagement in Nigeria’s competitive food market.

For small-scale traders and low-income households, such rewards can offer rare financial boosts amid rising living costs.

The Golden Hunt campaign also reflects how companies are adapting to economic realities by offering smaller, more affordable product sizes to drive participation.

How the campaign worked

Launched in January 2026, the Golden Hunt attracted over 200,000 entries from across the country.

At the end of seven draws, 16,324 winners received prizes ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦1 million.

Other rewards included airtime, household appliances, laptops, smartphones, and 55-inch televisions.

Nestlé: ‘Giving back to consumers’

Omofasa Orhiunu, Category Manager for Healthy Cereals at Nestlé Nigeria, said the campaign was created to connect more closely with Nigerians.

“Golden Morn has been part of everyday life for Nigerian families, and with the Golden Hunt, we wanted more people to experience that,” he said.

“It gave both our loyal consumers and new ones the opportunity to enjoy a nourishing product… while also being rewarded in a simple and accessible way.”

The company’s Managing Director, Wassim Elhusseini, said the initiative was also about recognising customer loyalty.

“For over 40 years, Golden Morn has been nourishing Nigerian families and earning their trust,” he said.

“The Golden Hunt was our way of recognising that trust and giving back in a way that is meaningful and inclusive.”

Industry perspective

Marketing analysts say such promotions are becoming more strategic in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.

Brands are not only competing on price but also on customer experience and perceived value.

Campaigns like Golden Hunt can drive sales, increase brand visibility, and build emotional connections with consumers especially when winners’ stories highlight real-life impact.

About the brand

Golden Morn is a long-standing Nigerian cereal made from locally sourced grains and fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Its positioning as an affordable, nutritious breakfast option has made it popular among families for decades.

What’s next

Nestlé Nigeria says it will continue to explore consumer-focused initiatives aimed at improving access to nutrition while supporting communities.

With strong participation recorded, similar promotions may be expanded or repeated in future campaigns.

Fidelity Bank Plc has extended its flagship women empowerment programme, “Give Her Power”, to Ikorodu, providing vocational tools to over 30 women in a move aimed at boosting grassroots entrepreneurship and household income.

The outreach marks the third phase of the initiative’s nationwide rollout and targeted beneficiaries across Ikorodu Central, Ikorodu West and Ikorodu North.

At the event, 12 sewing machines and 15 grinding machines were distributed alongside other equipment designed to support small-scale businesses.

Why It Matters

Access to capital and tools remains one of the biggest barriers for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria, particularly at the grassroots level.

By providing practical resources rather than cash grants, the initiative aims to support long-term income generation and financial independence.

“Beyond Symbolic Gestures” — Bank Leadership

Speaking at the event, Fidelity Bank’s Regional Bank Head, Victoria Island, Mr Nnamdi Edekobi, representing the Managing Director, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the programme was designed to deliver real economic impact.

“The Give Her Power initiative is intentionally designed to go beyond symbolic gestures. Our goal is to equip women with the tools and resources they need to build sustainable businesses, generate income, and create better opportunities for themselves and their families.”

Also speaking, the bank’s Divisional Head for Brand and Communication, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, described the outreach as a targeted intervention for underserved women.

“When women are empowered financially, the ripple effect is felt across families, communities, and the broader national economy.”

Expanding Nationwide

The bank says the initiative will be extended to other regions, including the South-East, South-South, and Northern Nigeria.

The programme builds on the bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, which provides vocational training, mentorship, and business support.

It was first launched in Lagos in partnership with organisations such as LUSH Hair, Barbergirl Academy, and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), among others.

From Abeokuta to Ikorodu

Before arriving in Ikorodu, the initiative was held in Abeokuta, where 100 women received 50 sewing machines and 50 grinding machines.

The expansion reflects growing efforts by financial institutions to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially those led by women.

Community and Government Backing

The Ikorodu event drew support from local government leaders, including the Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Prince Adedayo Ladega, and other council officials.

Their presence highlights increasing collaboration between financial institutions and local authorities to drive grassroots economic development.

Beneficiaries React

For many recipients, the support could be transformative.

One beneficiary, Mrs Hassan Bukola from Ikorodu North, said:

“This sewing machine is a life-changing opportunity for me. It will help me grow my business and better support my family.”

Industry Perspective

Analysts say such initiatives can help close Nigeria’s gender financing gap, which continues to limit women’s participation in the economy.

Financial inclusion experts also note that tool-based empowerment programmes often have higher sustainability outcomes than short-term cash interventions.

What’s Next

Fidelity Bank says it will continue scaling the initiative across Nigeria as part of its broader strategy to promote inclusive growth and support small businesses.

With over 9 million customers and operations in Nigeria and the UK, the bank is positioning itself as a key player in MSME development and digital banking innovation.

Shareholders of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) have praised the bank’s management for delivering a record total dividend payout of ₦12.76 per share for the 2025 financial year, the highest in Nigeria’s banking sector.

The commendation came during the company’s 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM), where investors also applauded GTCO’s financial performance and its compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ₦500 billion minimum capital requirement.

Why it matters

The payout signals strong financial health and investor confidence in one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions.

It also reflects broader stability in the banking sector amid ongoing economic uncertainty, with dividend performance often seen as a key indicator of resilience and profitability.

Shareholders react

The President of the Nigerian Shareholders’ Solidarity Association, Chief Timothy Adesiyan, praised the board’s consistency.

“The board has demonstrated discipline to sustain its dividend payout to shareholders,” he said.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mrs Bisi Bakare, described the payout as historic.

“GTCO makes history as the first Nigerian bank to reward shareholders with ₦12.76 dividend payout,” she said, urging the management to sustain the momentum.

GTCO had earlier declared an interim dividend of ₦1.00 per share and a final dividend of ₦11.76, bringing the total payout to ₦12.76 for the year.

Company strategy and growth

Responding to shareholders, GTCO’s Chairman, Suleiman Barau, said the group’s transformation into a diversified financial services provider has strengthened its resilience.

“This diversification is not simply a structural change; it represents a strategic effort to build an institution that can serve customers more comprehensively while creating multiple engines of sustainable growth,” he said.

He added that diversification reduces risk and improves the company’s ability to withstand economic fluctuations.

“Maintaining a healthy balance sheet and strong credit practices is essential,” Barau noted.

Expansion and innovation

Group Chief Executive Officer Segun Agbaje highlighted 2025 as a pivotal year for the company’s expansion and digital transformation.

“Across our Banking, Payments, Asset Management, and Pension businesses, we leveraged data, digital tools, and operational insight to create frictionless experiences for our customers across Africa and the United Kingdom,” he said.

He also described GTCO’s listing on the London Stock Exchange as a major milestone.

“This historic achievement makes GTCO Plc the first financial services institution in West Africa to list its ordinary shares on the LSE’s main market,” Agbaje said.

Industry perspective

Analysts say GTCO’s performance reflects a growing trend among Nigerian banks to diversify income streams and expand globally.

The move into payments, asset management, and pensions aligns with industry efforts to reduce reliance on traditional banking revenue.

What’s next

Looking ahead to 2026, the company says it will focus on strengthening its ecosystem, deepening customer engagement, and leveraging technology.

“GTCO enters 2026 confident, resilient, and focused,” Agbaje said.

“Our ecosystem is stronger, our ambition greater, and our commitment unwavering.”