ICAN Fidelity Bank Chapter Inaugurates New Chairman

Fidelity Bank Empowers SMEs With Business Management Systems

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Fidelity Bank Chapter, has inaugurated Mr. Audifax Onuoha as its new Chairman, at the Chapter’s 4th Investiture and Patron Conferment Ceremony, held at Fidelity Bank’s Head Office, Fidelity Place, Lagos. The investiture also witnessed the formal inauguration of the 2025–2027 Executive Committee.

The new Chairman, Mr. Onuoha, who currently serves as Group Head, Compliance Risk Management at Fidelity Bank Plc, succeeds Mr. Victor Abejegah, the bank’s Chief Financial Officer.

New Era to Focus on Capacity Building and Professional Excellence

In his acceptance speech, Onuoha expressed a firm commitment to strengthening the technical capacity of ICAN members and non-members across the bank.

“Our administration will focus on continuous learning and skill development to equip our members with the cutting-edge knowledge needed to thrive in today’s fast-evolving financial services landscape,” Onuoha stated.

A Chartered Accountant, data science expert, and anti-money laundering specialist, Onuoha also pledged to build on the achievements of previous leadership while reinforcing the strategic alliance between ICAN and Fidelity Bank.

“We will deepen the synergy between Fidelity Bank and ICAN as a foundation for a resilient financial ecosystem. We also aim to grow the Chapter’s membership by attracting more Chartered Accountants, thereby enriching the intellectual capital of the bank,” Onuoha added.

Delivering the opening address, Chairman of the Occasion and the Regional Bank Head -Ikeja, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Jude Monye, urged the new leadership to make professional development a top priority.

“Capacity building is no longer optional—it is imperative. Let your tenure be marked by programmes that empower members to lead with insight, resilience, and relevance,” Monye advised.

Monye lauded the Chapter’s growth and impact over the years, attributing much of its success to the unwavering support of Fidelity Bank’s leadership, particularly its Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.

“The Chapter’s evolution into a vibrant hub of professional development reflects the bank’s deep appreciation of the value of professional competence in a dynamic financial sector,” Monye noted.

The immediate past Chairman, Mr. Victor Abejegah, highlighted several achievements recorded during his tenure, including entrepreneurship training in fish farming, snail farming, poultry, and export processing, as well as significant strides in member welfare and insurance claim support for bereaved families.

A major highlight of the event was the conferment of the Chapter’s new Patron award on the Executive Director/Chief Operations and Information Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Stanley Amuchie, in recognition of his over 25 years of exemplary service in banking and financial services. Amuchie described the honor as “a call to serve— as a mentor, advocate, and bridge-builder within the ICAN community and the broader Fidelity Bank family.”

The ceremony concluded with the swearing-in of the new executive committee by the 61st President of ICAN, Mallam Haruna Yahaya, signaling a new era of visionary leadership for the Chapter.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Fidelity Bank empowers SMEs with business management systems

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been encouraged to adopt digital tools to enhance their operations and drive sustainable growth.

This call was made during the Fidelity SME Empowerment Program 2025, held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at the bank’s dedicated SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos.

The event, which drew a large turnout of entrepreneurs and stakeholders, marked the official launch of Fidelity Bank’s initiative to equip 100 growth-ready SMEs with ERPRev-enabled POS systems and business support tools—at no cost to the beneficiaries.

Welcoming guests, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, represented by Mr. Stanley Amuchie, Executive Director/Chief Operations and Information Officer, emphasized the bank’s commitment to SME development:

“At Fidelity Bank, we believe SMEs are not just the backbone of our economy—they are the architects of innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth.

“Through the Fidelity SME Empowerment Program (FSEP), we are providing 100 entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive in today’s digital economy.”

Through the initiative, benefiting businesses will receive: a fully-installed POS desktop system, ERPRev business software, receipt printer and barcode scanner, inventory data input support, financial and bookkeeping training, branding and onboarding support, six months of post-installation monitoring; and a free Fidelity POS with instant settlement.

The three-day program features high-impact trainings, masterclasses, and networking opportunities designed to spark innovation, build partnerships, and unlock new markets.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Adaonah Kene-Uyawaune, CEO of Manmark -Fidelity Bank’s strategic partner, noted, “This digital transformation initiative is a game changer.

“It replaces manual bookkeeping with a unified system that simplifies accounting, inventory, HR, and profitability tracking.

“These tools are not handouts—they are instruments for long-term business success.”

According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, SMEs make up 96% of all businesses in the country, employ over 80% of the workforce, and contribute nearly 50% to the national GDP.

Despite their critical role in the economy, many still rely on manual processes that hinder efficiency and limit access to finance.

Fidelity Bank’s intervention is therefore both timely and strategic—providing SMEs with the digital tools and support they need to streamline operations, improve transparency, and unlock new growth opportunities.

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