By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
Fidelity Bank Plc has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to provide relief to vulnerable households in Abuja through its Food Bank programme, as part of efforts to tackle hunger and multidimensional poverty in Nigeria.
Under the initiative, the bank distributed 2,000 food packs to residents of the Federal Capital Territory, reinforcing its commitment to supporting communities affected by food insecurity.
Launched in April 2023, the Fidelity Food Bank is one of the bank’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, aimed at combating hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable populations.
Since its introduction, the programme has distributed more than 300,000 food packs to beneficiaries across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Speaking at an event in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, represented by the bank’s Divisional Head of Public Sector, Richard Madiebo, said the bank’s interventions go beyond food distribution to include entrepreneurship support and other empowerment programmes.
According to her, these initiatives are designed to help individuals and families achieve economic independence and improve their living conditions.
She noted that Fidelity Bank’s commitment to community development spans nearly three decades, reflecting its longstanding dedication to improving the welfare of its host communities.
“Fidelity Bank has always aligned its CSR programmes with the needs of its host communities. We understand the importance of private sector participation in addressing poverty and promoting inclusive development.
“We have delivered 2,000 food packs to residents of Abuja. There are several other initiatives that the ministry and the bank are discussing, and we will allow the ministry to provide further details at the appropriate time,” she said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard M. Doro, commended Fidelity Bank for supporting government efforts to improve the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.
He called for stronger collaboration between the government and private sector to address the country’s multidimensional poverty challenges.
Doro observed that with 63 per cent of Nigeria’s population living in multidimensional poverty, a significant number of citizens remain excluded from meaningful economic activities, thereby limiting businesses’ access to potential customers and employees.
“When 63 per cent of the population lives in multidimensional poverty, a substantial number of people are excluded from economic participation. This also means that businesses are unable to reach a large segment of their potential customers.
“Our responsibility as a ministry is to unlock partnerships with the private sector. Such collaboration is critical to expanding economic opportunities and bringing more people into productive economic activities. We are pleased that Fidelity Bank is fully committed to this effort,” the minister stated.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond public declarations and ensure that poverty reduction programmes deliver measurable and sustainable improvements in the lives of vulnerable households.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial deposit money bank serving more than 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels and its 255 business offices in Nigeria, as well as its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received several local and international awards in recognition of its contributions to digital banking, financial inclusion and business development.
Its recognitions include the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation and MSME Banking Award at the 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.
Fidelity Bank was also recognised as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and named Export Financing Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay BAFI Awards.
