Business
LOTUS Bank Bags ‘Best Ethical and Financial Inclusion Bank Of the Year’ Award
Cyril Ogar
LOTUS Bank, Nigeria’s leading non-interest and ethical financial institution, has been named the “Best Ethical and Financial Inclusion Bank of the Year” at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
The recognition underscores LOTUS Bank’s unwavering commitment to advancing ethical banking, financial inclusion, and sustainable prosperity across Nigeria. Since its inception, the Bank has consistently championed innovative non-interest banking solutions designed to empower individuals, MSMEs, and communities through transparency, partnership, and shared value creation.
Speaking on the award, the Acting MD of LOTUS Bank, Dr. Isiaka Ajani-Lawal, expressed gratitude to the organizers and reaffirmed the Bank’s mission to redefine banking through ethics and impact.
“This award is a reflection of our core philosophy that banking should be a force for good. At LOTUS Bank, we are intentional about building a system that not only provides access to finance but does so with integrity, empathy, and innovation. We dedicate this recognition to our customers, partners, and employees who continue to believe in our vision of ethical prosperity”, he said.
The BusinessDay BAFI Awards remain one of Nigeria’s most respected platforms for recognizing excellence and innovation within the banking and financial services sector. LOTUS Bank’s distinction in the Ethical and Financial Inclusion categories highlights its leading role in broadening access to non-interest financial solutions and supporting inclusive economic growth.
With a growing footprint across Nigeria, LOTUS Bank continues to introduce tailored products that reflect its values of Partnership, Prosperity, and Progress, while maintaining its focus on ethical investing and customer trust.
“We see this recognition not as a destination but as motivation to continue deepening financial inclusion and building a more equitable banking future for all,” he added.
Lotus Bank is committed to fostering financial inclusion and broadening access to innovative, non-interest products and services for the banked, unbanked, and under-banked.
Guided by its core values, LOTUS Bank strives to deliver a differentiated customer experience that supports businesses, empowers communities, and drives sustainable growth.
Business
FG, Investonaire Academy Unveil National Programme to Equip 100,000 Youths with Financial Skills, Digital Wealth Tools
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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