As part of this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations, the London Business School (LBS) Alumni Community Nigeria hosted a private brunch and fireside chat that placed the spotlight firmly on one of Nigeria’s most impactful business leaders—Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc.

Held in Lagos, the event gathered an elite group of C-suite executives from across finance, FMCG, investment, and other critical sectors for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and the shared responsibility to “Accelerate Action,” this year’s global Women’s Month theme. But it was Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s presence and insights that set the tone for the day.

As the first female CEO in Fidelity Bank’s history, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe has not only shattered ceilings but redefined what bold, values-driven leadership looks like in Nigeria’s banking sector. Drawing from her remarkable journey rising through the ranks of a male-dominated industry, she shared personal stories marked by perseverance, strategic thinking, and an unyielding commitment to excellence.

“I have personally never acknowledged the gender glass ceiling in my career—or in anything in my life,” she declared. “When something looks like a barrier, I see it as motivation to go even harder.”

Her words were not merely motivational—they reflected a lived philosophy that has defined her leadership at Fidelity Bank, where she has championed innovation, diversity, and financial inclusion while delivering record-breaking financial results. Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s tenure has become synonymous with transformation—not just for the bank, but for the broader financial services industry.

She spoke candidly about the power of discipline, self-belief, and taking calculated risks. “Don’t fear failure. It’s part of the process,” she added. “Every misstep has taught me something that helped me get better.” These insights resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom saw reflections of their own challenges and aspirations in her journey.

But Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe also emphasized the broader dimensions of leadership—particularly the importance of balance in the lives of modern women. “Learning to balance family and career is not just important for business success, it’s important for success in life,” she noted, reminding participants that holistic well-being is a leadership imperative.

A passionate advocate for gender equity, she acknowledged the progress made in the financial sector, pointing out that 11 of Nigeria’s 26 commercial bank CEOs are now women. Still, her call was clear: “That’s progress, but we must not stop there. We want to see that number go to 14, 15, and beyond.”

The London Business School, renowned for producing global business leaders, is home to a vibrant Nigerian alumni community committed to impact. Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s conversation was a reminder of the kind of leadership that truly drives change—one that is visionary, courageous, and deeply rooted in purpose.

“I’m truly impressed by the quality of professionals in this network,” she said. “It’s refreshing and inspiring to see so many women leading with excellence.”

In closing, Akintayo Sanwo-Olu, President of the LBS Alumni Community in Nigeria, echoed the spirit of the gathering: “As a community, we’re not just talking about change—we’re building it. At LBS, we are committed to empowering more women to lead across industries and actively changing the narrative around gender and leadership.”

Indeed, in Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the community found not just a speaker, but a symbol of what’s possible when women lead with vision and purpose

Naijanewsngr – Tier-one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has recently announced salary increments for its staff following a remarkable full year 2024 financial performance.

The salary increase announced in May follows a prior increment from November 2024 and aims to recognize staff contributions in customer service and achieving corporate goals.

It will be recalled that the Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe-led institution recorded the highest growth in year-on-year profitability in the Nigerian banking industry in 2024 with a 210% growth in Profit Before Tax to N385.2 billion.

Similarly, the bank recently announced that it was on the verge of closing out on the Central Bank of Nigeria-mandated recapitalization directive with a private placement exercise scheduled to conclude in June 2025.

Nigeria’s stock market saw an early rally on Friday after a few days of low buying activity, as investors jumped on Fidelity Bank Plc’s stocks.

At 109,385.94 points, the NGX All Share Index (ASI) was up 0.19 percent as of 11 a.m. Fidelity Bank had added N1.255 (6.63 percent) to reach N18.60.

Vetiva analysts stated in their post-trading commentary following Thursday’s negative close that “unless new buying interest appears in oversold key names, investors may remain defensive as market breadth weakens and key sectors are under pressure.” The market appears destined to end the week on a lower note, barring a robust recovery in the banking or consumer goods sectors.

Prior to Friday’s trading, BusinessDay advised investors to take advantage of the recent stock market decline, citing specific reasons for holding or purchasing Fidelity Bank stock.

Fidelity Bank’s recent financial results provide further context. The lender recorded a Profit Before Tax of N105.8 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up 167.8 percent from the same period in 2024. Gross earnings also rose by 64.2 percent year-on-year to N315.4 billion, driven by both interest and non-interest income.

On the balance sheet, the bank’s total deposits climbed to N6.6 trillion, representing an 11.1 percent increase year-to-date, while net loans and advances rose by 5 percent to N4.6 trillion. These figures suggest sustained liquidity and the capacity to manage lending and investment operations effectively.

As published on the BusinessDay Website.