Business

Customer-centric service values, innovation earned us 2022 Award – TAJBank MD

Published

3 years ago

November 13, 2022

Joel Ajayi

For the second consecutive year, judges at the BusinessDay’s ‘Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards have rated TAJBank Limited, Nigeria’s leading non-interest bank, as the winner of the ‘Islamic Bank of the Year Award’ 2022 for the bank’s impressive performance during the year.

In a pre-award ‘Notification of Shortlisting At BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions’ (BAFI) Awards’ letter by the management of BusinessDay dated October 13, 2022 to TAJBank management, the awards’ organisers stated: “It would not be an exaggeration to say that 2022 has been the Year of TAJ when the bank has been setting one record after the other.

Having won the Islamic Bank of the Year Award at the 2021 edition of the BAFI Awards, this back-to-back shortlisting would make it a first if TAJBank wins again this year.”

The BAFI Awards’ organisers attributed the nomination of TAJBank for the 2022 Award to the bank’s financial performance; credit rating upgrade to “Bbb” by Augusto & Co reflecting “the Bank’s good liquidity profile, satisfactory capitalization, improving profitability and a growing franchise in the Islamic banking space”, Issue of National Banking License by the Central Bank of Nigeria; and successful issuance of its N100 billion Series 1 Sukuk programme, amongst others.

After several days of appraisal of the nominees for this year’s Award, the BusinessDay management formally conferred the ‘Islamic Bank of the Year Award’ 2022 on TAJBank on November 5 this year at an impressive ceremony where hundreds of the bank’s customers described the award “as well deserved”.

Speaking on the BAFI award to the bank, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TAJBank, Mr. Hamid Joda, described it as “unequivocal proof that our Board and management, supported by our very resourceful, customer-friendly staff, are on the right track in our sustained drive to re-define non-interest banking in Nigeria, especially in terms of our innovativeness and customer-focused products and services delivery.

“We are excited by the award, which we have won now for the second consecutive year in justly barely less than three years of our operations and we want to assure the regulatory authorities, our stakeholders and customers that we will not relent in our efforts to consistently deliver the best to our customers in services and by so doing, grow our shareholders’ funds and returns on their investments in the years ahead.

“Let me say that this award is earned because our customers, who, are our “only interest” are doing their best to support the bank and we dedicate the award to them and Almighty God that enables us to keep TAJBank growing at all fronts”, Joda added.

TAJBank had won the Leadership Newspapers’ 2020 Bank of The Year’ award barely a little over a year after it debuted as a non-interest bank in Nigeria based on its innovativeness and standardization in products and services delivery.

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Business

FG, Investonaire Academy Unveil National Programme to Equip 100,000 Youths with Financial Skills, Digital Wealth Tools

Published

5 days ago

November 25, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, in collaboration with Investonaire Academy, has unveiled a nationwide financial literacy and wealth-building programme targeting more than 100,000 young Nigerians. The initiative is designed to equip participants with practical skills in budgeting, saving, investing, asset building, and long-term financial planning, positioning them for sustainable prosperity in a rapidly evolving economy.

Launched on Tuesday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described financial literacy as a necessary survival tool for young people confronting today’s economic realities.

He noted that the initiative represents the foundation of a broader vision expected to extend beyond Nigeria to other African nations and global markets.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting over 4,000 corps members annually, the Minister said the programme will provide platforms, resources, and skills needed for both job creation and employability.

“The young people who understand money — how to save, invest, build assets, and manage risk — are the ones who will lead Nigeria into prosperity,” he said.

A major highlight of the launch was the expansion of the Nigeria Youth Academy, a digital platform offering mentorship, training, and startup support. According to the Minister, more than 200 startups will receive empowerment through the Academy’s e-app platform before the end of the year.

He stressed the need for deeper collaboration with private organisations, innovators, and youth-focused groups, noting that government alone cannot drive youth development. He further encouraged young Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition, innovation, and digital enterprise, saying these remain critical to reducing the desire for migration and increasing self-reliance.

Outlining the Ministry’s long-term commitments, Olawande emphasized three priorities: supporting youth innovation, equipping them with growth tools, and safeguarding millions of Nigerian youths under the Ministry’s mandate.

Speaking at the launch, Sebastien Sicre, Chief Operating Officer of Investonaire Academy, said the programme was crafted to revolutionize the way Nigerian youths learn and apply financial knowledge. He highlighted the Academy’s gamified Learning Management System (LMS), which offers interactive learning tools, community forums, and real-time mentorship to make financial education engaging and accessible.

Complementing the digital platform is a new 200-square-metre physical training centre in Abuja, opposite the NNPC Towers, where in-person workshops and mentorship sessions will take place.

The curriculum covers key global asset classes — including equities, commodities, forex, and indices — ensuring participants gain a broad understanding of financial markets.

Sicre added that with Federal Government backing, the programme seeks to unlock new opportunities, strengthen youth participation in the digital economy, and reward outstanding participants through a $1 million funding pool to support new and existing ventures.

International Programme Director of Investonaire Academy, Dr. Enefola Odiba, explained that the initiative aims to bridge long-standing gaps in financial education among Nigerian youths. While schools teach many subjects, he said, essential financial skills are often missing.

“Many people can earn money — earning money can be easy. The real challenge is retaining, managing, and growing that money,” he noted.
Referencing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s definition of financial literacy, Odiba stated that implementation remains a major national challenge. He said the initiative brings together government agencies, youth groups, academic institutions, and private-sector partners to translate strategy into measurable impact.

The programme’s curriculum covers budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning — areas where many young people struggle. By offering practical training, real-world insights, and guided mentorship, the initiative aims to build a generation of financially empowered youth capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.

With this partnership, the Federal Government and Investonaire Academy share a common goal: to empower young Nigerians with the financial intelligence and digital tools needed to build wealth, grow businesses, and transform the nation’s economic future.

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