By Onu Okorie
Fidelity Bank Plc has deepened its commitment to youth empowerment and financial inclusion by partnering with the Youth Economic Intervention and De-radicalization Programme YEIDEP.
This was contained in a release made available to the media yesterday in Abuja.
YEIDEP is a Federal Government-backed initiative aimed at equipping young Nigerians with skills and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods.
Under the partnership, the bank is supporting the enrolment of students and young people into the programme, which seeks to tackle youth unemployment, drive enterprise development, and expand economic participation among Nigeria’s youth.
The next phase of the initiative will hold at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where the institution has confirmed readiness to host the enrolment exercise for students and youths across the Southeast.
The Office of the Vice Chancellor said the exercise is scheduled for July 1 to 3, 2026, at the university’s Convocation Arena, with more than 60,000 regular undergraduate students expected to participate.
Speaking on the collaboration, Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank, said empowering young people remains central to the bank’s vision of building a more inclusive and prosperous society.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people, particularly its youths. Equipping young Nigerians with the right skills, opportunities and financial support is essential to unlocking their potential and accelerating national development,” Ede said.
He added that through digital banking platforms, financial literacy initiatives, youth-focused products and strategic partnerships, the bank continues to provide young people with tools needed to thrive in a competitive world, noting that access to funding, mentorship and business development support remains a major challenge for many aspiring entrepreneurs.
The bank said its support for YEIDEP aligns with its long-standing commitment to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises MSMEs, which remain key drivers of economic growth and job creation in the country.