Business

TAJBank sets new record, pays dividend in 3 years

Published

2 years ago

July 4, 2023

….as non-interest lender’s PBT surges by over 300% in FY 2022

Joel Ajayi
TAJBank Limited, Nigeria’s fast-growing and technology-driven non-interest banking services provider, has set a new record in the nation’s banking system with the payment of dividend to its shareholders just three years of its operations.

It would be recalled that TAJBank made history early this year as the first corporate entity in Nigeria’s history to list Sukuk Bond on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) after the successful issuance.

Available data on banking industry’s audited financial reports indicated that no bank had achieved such a remarkable feat in the over 100 years of the sector’s history.

Addressing the shareholders at the meeting, the Board chairman, Alhaji Tanko Isiaku Gwamna, recounted the global economic whirlwinds in the past two years as well as the macroeconomic developments in the nation’s economic space, especially the surging inflation rate, with the attendant negative impacts on businesses.

Gwamna maintained that despite the inclement operating environment, the Board and management of the bank were able, through innovation and proactive strategies, to sustain TAJBank on the path of sustainable growth and financial stability for the benefits of the shareholders and Nigeria’s economyOn the dividend issue, he said:

“On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to inform our shareholders that we have recommended a scrip dividend payment of 1 share for every 10 shares, subject to shareholders’ approval. We remain committed to promoting business expansion and success while making sure that a sizeable amount of our profits is set aside for you.”

In his report, the bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hamid Joda, described the FY 2022 as a significant milestone in the journey of the non-interest lender despite the headwinds that characterized the operating environment as the management was able to deliver on key strategic goals through relentless execution, backed by a positive culture and delivery on high-impact projects.

On the bank’s financial performance in FY 2022, Joda reported that TAJBank recorded remarkable growth across key indices during the year as its balance sheet grew by over 93% from N110 billion recorded in FY 2021 to N212 billion while its Profit Before Tax (PBT) also surged from N1.6 billion in FY 2021 to N5.081 billion in 2022 financial year.

He also told the excited shareholders that the bank’s earnings per share grew by 138% to N31.27 kobo in FY 2022 compared to N13.11 kobo recorded in FY 2021.
On the plans to further grow the bank in the years ahead, Joda, the award-winning banker, said: “In our relentless effort to promote non-interest products and modes of banking nationwide, the Board and management of TAJBank have set key objectives for the year 2023 and beyond.

“These initiatives include, inter alia, to promote financial inclusion by leveraging various channels and touchpoints, especially our electronic platforms with the aim of reaching out to the unbanked populace; and to be recognized as the market leader in the non-interest banking industry in Nigeria.

“We also plan to open 110 branches/business offices across state capitals/major commercial centers before 2024 and to offer non-interest banking products and services to underserved markets; to grow our agency network to 100,000 active agents by 2025 thereby reducing the financial exclusion rate; to grow our customer base to at least four million by 2027; and to achieve a minimum customer satisfaction score of 85%”, he added.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the AGM, a leading financial expert and an Independent Non-Executive Director of the bank, Alhaji Tata Shekaru Omar, lauded the Board and Management for innovatively positioning TAJBank at the leading edge of competition in the nation’s increasingly dynamic financial services market.

He enthused: “TAJBank is just barely four years of age and that it was able to make profit in its first year of operation is great and cheery news for all its stakeholders. I want to say kudos to the MD and the entire team for such a feat, especially that the bank is now giving out dividends to shareholders.

“TAJBank deserves the congratulations it is getting as an institution because it has achieved a lot and this needs to be commended. The bank has continued to make great strides and now it is even expanding in terms of branches.

TAJBank continues to make a statement that non-interest banking is here to stay and the way to go”, he added.

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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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