Business
UNIUYO MFB Launches WashLoan For Safe Water, Hygiene
Cyril Ogar
Uniuyo Microfinance Bank (MfB) has launched a loan facility – WashLoan – as part of its commitment to improved water, sanitation and hygiene for residents in the university community and its immediate environs.
The launch of the loan facility by the MFB, in partnership with Water-org, a leading civil advocacy group committed to improved water access globally, and the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), the umbrella body of all MFBs in Nigeria, was held last Thursday at the university in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the MFB, Dr. Millicent Idiong, said that access to clean water and proper sanitation is not a luxury as it is a basic human right but lamented that in many households, schools, and small businesses in our communities, this right remained out of reach.
She explained that through the Washloan initiative Uniuyo MFB is saying clearly that no family should struggle for safe water, no child should learn in an unsafe environment, and that no community should be left behind because of lack of sanitation.
While thanking Water.org and NAMB for partnering with the microfinance bank to expand access to safe water and sanitation in the tertiary institution, Dr. Idiong explained that the partnership aligned with Uniuyo MFB’s mission as a development focused financial institution – to use finance as a tool for transformation, not just profit.
She clarified: “The WashLoan has been carefully designed to be affordable, flexible and accessible, supporting individuals, households, schools, landlords and water related businesses to invest in sustainable water and sanitation solutions. By providing this financing, we are not just supporting infrastructure – We are supporting health, dignity, productivity, and community resilience.”
In his remarks, the Senior Relationship Account Manager at Water.org, Gilbert Okpono, said: “The launch of this WSS loan product by Uniuyo MFB provides a beacon of hope of universal access to safe water and sanitation for the state and country. Through this innovative finance solution, households and SMEs would be supported in a sustainable manner.”
Commenting on the benefits of the initiative to millions of people in the university and its environs, the National President of NAMB, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmad, described the WashLoan product launch “as a testament of the spirit of collaboration in improving hygiene and health for our teeming clients and communities.”
He maintained that NAMB was “seeking more partnerships to deliver more sustainable, life impacting practices to its customers and communities.”
Business
LOTUS Bank, Heckerbella Unveil Smart Identity, Digital Payment Card In UNILAG
Joel Ajayi
LOTUS Bank, in strategic partnership with Heckerbella, has launched the Smart ID Project at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), introducing a next-generation identification system that seamlessly integrates campus identity with secure debit card functionality.
The launch ceremony, which was held on Friday, featured the University’s leadership, faculty members, students, senior executives from LOTUS Bank and Heckerbella, and key stakeholders.
The Smart ID Card is designed as a dual-function solution — serving as the university’s official identification credential while also operating as a secure debit card powered by LOTUS Bank.
The innovation enables seamless identity verification, efficient access control, and safe financial transactions both within and beyond the campus environment.
The Smart ID Project is expected to streamline administrative processes, improve operational efficiency across faculties and departments, and deepen financial literacy and inclusion among students.
With embedded debit functionality, the card supports secure, cashless transactions while reinforcing the University’s transition to a technology-driven academic ecosystem.
As technology and implementation partner, Heckerbella is responsible for comprehensive data capture for students and staff, as well as the secure production and issuance of the Smart ID Cards.
The process is built to ensure data accuracy, robust security standards, and operational efficiency throughout deployment.
During the event, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Folasade T. Ogunsola, formally presented the Smart ID Cards to students and staff, marking a defining milestone in UNILAG’s digital transformation journey..
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor reaffirmed the University’s commitment to innovation and strategic partnerships that enhance service delivery and elevate the overall campus experience.
Earlier in his address, the Managing Director of LOTUS Bank, Dr. Isiaka Ajani-Lawal, emphasized that the initiative reflects the Bank’s broader commitment to advancing financial inclusion and delivering integrated, secure digital banking solutions tailored to institutional ecosystems.
“The Smart ID Project represents a forward-thinking collaboration that merges identity management, access control, and financial services into a single secure platform.
In partnership with UNILAG and Heckerbella, we are delivering a solution that enhances convenience, strengthens security, and accelerates the transition toward a modern, cashless campus.”
Speaking during the card launch, the Managing Director of Heckerbella, Ms. Yemi Keri, highlighted the importance of secure identity infrastructure in modern institutions, noting that her firm’s collaboration with LOTUS Bank on the project demonstrates how technology, banking, and education can converge to deliver practical, future-focused solutions.
LOTUS Bank is a full-fledged non-interest commercial bank committed to ethical banking, financial inclusion, and innovative digital solutions for individuals, businesses, and institutions across Nigeria
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