In a bold step toward improving access to quality education in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc has launched the “Lighting Young Minds” initiative, donating 1,000 solar-powered school bags to pupils in public primary schools across Ogun State.
The project aims to address one of the critical challenges in underserved communities—limited access to electricity, which hampers children’s ability to study at night.
The initiative was officially unveiled on Friday, July 4, 2025, during a special event held in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. The event reflected the bank’s deepening commitment to breaking down systemic barriers to education through sustainable and impactful interventions.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank, emphasized that the initiative aligns with one of the bank’s core Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillars: expanding access to quality education. “At Fidelity Bank, we see education as not only a means of knowledge transfer, but as a transformative force—a bridge to opportunity,” she said.
She further explained that under the bank’s SWEETA initiative, the 1,000 solar-powered school bags are being distributed to help children study safely at night without relying on candles or kerosene lamps. “Beyond helping them improve their academic performance,” she added, “we want to inspire young minds to see that innovation and resilience can light the path to a better future.”
Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe also spotlighted the bank’s broader investments in education. These include the SWEETA School Fees Support Initiative, which has disbursed over ₦8 billion in tuition support; the Read2Lead Writing Competition, impacting over 3,000 students through prizes and grants; Back-to-School Loans for parents; the Fidelity EduLoan, which supports school infrastructure and asset acquisition; and the Green Energy Financing Program, which promotes sustainable energy solutions in education, aligning with the solar-powered bags project.
The solar-powered bags are being distributed to schools in all 20 local government areas of Ogun State. The unveiling ceremony was jointly led by Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe and Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the First Lady of Ogun State, who applauded the initiative as a vital and timely intervention for child development and foundational learning.
“This initiative directly enhances learning for children in communities with limited electricity,” Mrs. Abiodun said. “It’s a brilliant example of how simple, practical innovations can drive profound change—keeping children in school and helping them thrive.” She also highlighted the initiative’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education, and encouraged other private sector players to follow Fidelity Bank’s example in driving social impact.
The Lighting Young Minds initiative reinforces Fidelity Bank’s ongoing mission to empower future generations through inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking educational solutions. As the bank continues to bridge opportunity gaps, it remains dedicated to building a brighter future for children across Nigeria.
Recognized as one of Nigeria’s top-performing financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank, serving over 10 million customers through its digital channels, 255 business offices, and UK subsidiary—FidBank UK Limited.
The bank is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by the BusinessDay BAFI Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application by Global Business Outlook; and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. It has also been named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by Euromoney, and Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay BAFI Awards.
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