Yemisi Izuora
Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship through a strategic partnership with the Youth Economic Intervention and De-radicalization Programme (YEIDEP), a Federal Government-backed initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, support and opportunities required to build sustainable livelihoods.
As part of the collaboration, Fidelity Bank is supporting the enrolment of students and young people into the YEIDEP programme, which aims to address youth unemployment, promote enterprise development and expand economic participation among Nigeria’s growing youth population.
The next phase of the initiative will take place at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where the institution has confirmed its readiness to host the enrolment exercise for students and youths across the Southeast region. According to the Office of the Vice Chancellor, the exercise is scheduled to hold from July 1 to July 3, 2026, at the University’s Convocation Arena and is expected to target more than 60,000 regular undergraduate students.
Speaking on the partnership, Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, noted that 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.
“Through our digital banking platforms, financial literacy initiatives, youth-focused products and strategic partnerships, we continue to provide young people with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. We recognize that access to funding, mentorship and business development support remains a major challenge for many aspiring entrepreneurs, and we are committed to creating pathways that help them overcome these barriers”, said Ede.
The Bank added that its support for YEIDEP aligns with its longstanding commitment to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, which remain critical drivers of economic growth and job creation in Nigeria.
Interested youths and students are encouraged to open accounts and register through the dedicated Fidelity Bank portal at https://eserve.fidelitybank.