Business

UNIUYO MFB Launches WashLoan For Safe Water, Hygiene

Published

2 months ago

March 5, 2026

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.

Managing Director, Uniuyo MFB, Dr. (Mrs.) Millicent Idiong, (4th from right); and National President, NAMB, Alh. Abubakar Ahmad, (Centre), flanked by management staff of Uniuyo MFB during the launch of the Washloan facility at the University Campus last weekend in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

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.”

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Agriculture

PULA, Leadway Assurance Disburse ₦396 Million to Climate-Affected Farmers, Strengthen Food Security Efforts

Published

3 weeks ago

April 24, 2026

The Gleamer

In a major intervention to shield smallholder farmers from climate shocks, agri-insurtech firm PULA has spearheaded the disbursement of ₦396,697,672 in insurance claims to over 40,000 farmers impacted during the 2025 wet season.

The payout, executed in partnership with Leadway Assurance and supported by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), covered farmers across Taraba, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau States who suffered climate-related losses.

The initiative was made possible in part by Bayer Foundation, whose $450,000 premium subsidy support in 2025 wet season helped lower the cost of insurance for thousands of vulnerable smallholders in 8 states, with 4 states receiving payouts. The Foundation is set to scale up its contribution to match the growing aspirations of state governments.

Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja during the 2025 Wet Season Insurance Claims Payout under the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM), PULA’s Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Enahoro, said the initiative goes beyond compensation, insisting that it’s about securing Nigeria’s food systems.

“Our focus is not just on payouts but on increasing food production. We must continue to support farmers who work tirelessly under harsh conditions to feed the nation,” Dr. Enahoro said. He called for stronger policies that directly impact farmers and reaffirmed PULA’s commitment to expanding agricultural insurance as a tool for resilience.

PULA’s data-driven approach to climate risk was key to identifying affected farmers and triggering payments. The company worked with Leadway Assurance to underwrite the risk, while PFSCU aligned the program with the national food security agenda. State governments also supported grassroots enrollment.

Gboyega Lesi, MD/CEO of Leadway Assurance, described the payout as “a reinforcement of a safety net that protects the hard work of thousands of farmers,” adding that “through climate insurance, we ensure that a bad season does not translate into total loss of livelihood.” He commended PULA’s technology and field structure for making rapid, transparent payouts possible.

Ayoola Fatona, Global Head of Agric Solutions at Leadway Assurance, noted that the 2025 wet season brought significant climate variability and yield fluctuations. “The true value of insurance lies in claims payment, especially in challenging periods. Our data-driven partnership with PULA helped mitigate losses,” he said.

Looking ahead, PULA and Leadway Assurance plan to scale coverage to 73,000 farmers in the 2026 farming season, deepening penetration of climate insurance across Nigeria’s food-producing belts.

Commissioners from the beneficiary states commended PULA and Leadway Assurance for de-risking agriculture, restoring farmers’ confidence, and building a more resilient agricultural sector

State-by-state breakdown of claims facilitated by PULA: