Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the promotion of 433 employees through its 2026 Promotion and Notch Award Exercise.

Approximately 13 per cent of the Bank’s workforce benefited from the exercise, reflecting a steady increase from the 12 per cent and 11 per cent recorded in 2025 and 2024, when 376 and 337 employees were promoted, respectively.

The initiative reflects the Bank’s unwavering commitment to recognizing excellence, rewarding outstanding performance, and fostering a high-performance culture across the organization.

Since assuming office as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nneka Onyeali Ikpe has overseen annual promotion exercises designed to recognise employee contributions, strengthen institutional capabilities and build a robust leadership pipeline.

Beyond promotions, Fidelity Bank has continued to invest in employee welfare through initiatives aimed at improving productivity, workplace satisfaction and overall staff wellbeing.

The Bank increased salaries across all categories and grade levels in 2022, 2024 and 2025. It also deployed staff buses to ease commuting, enhanced medical support and expanded learning and development programmes. In addition, the Bank extended its mortgage loan and home ownership scheme to employees from Assistant Banking Executive to Deputy Manager cadres, while increasing the applicable mortgage limits for qualified staff in line with current market realities. This positions Fidelity Bank among the few institutions that provide mortgage support to employees below the Manager cadre.

The Bank has also sustained initiatives that promote employee engagement, collaboration, work-life balance, professional certification, and continuous upskilling, underscoring its focus on building a motivated and future-ready workforce.

Industry observers note that these investments have helped reinforce Fidelity Bank’s reputation as a great place to work and a preferred employer within Nigeria’s financial services industry.

The 2025 promotion exercise reflects Fidelity Bank’s broader people strategy to attract, develop, reward and retain top talent by recognising discipline, professionalism, innovation, customer-focus and sustained performance, while preparing employees for greater responsibilities and strengthening the Bank’s position as an employer of choice.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international awards, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award for MSME support; Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers; Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards. The Bank also received the inaugural Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year award by Nairametrics, the SME Bank of the Year award by NewsDirect, and the Straight-Through Processing (STP) Excellence Award by Citi Group, in addition to recognition by Global Brands Magazine for Excellence in Community Empowerment.

The Police prosecuting counsel Stanley Nwafoaku from the Directorate of legal services of Federal Criminal Investigation Department of Nigeria Police Force Alagbon Ikoyi Lagos today, arraigned two ladies alleged to have considered together to cause the transmission of false publication concerning Access bank to the effect that the lender is shutting down its operations.

When the three count charge were read to them, the two Defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Thereafter Barrister Nwafoaku urged the court to remand them in the custody of Nigerian correctional services and fix a date for trial.

However,!Cyhtia Nwanpu who stood in for Ifenna Okeke counsel for both defendants, asked for a short date to file a formal bail application.

The presiding Judge,Akintayo Aluko, while remanding the defendants in custody of the Nigerian correctional services, adjourned till 25th of November 2026 for trial pending when the defence counsel should have filed bail application,!which will be given expeditious hearing.

The charge as filed before the court by the police prosecuting counsel.

FHC/L/CR/773/2026

COUNT ONE

That you. IDORENYIN SAMUEL UMOBH and FINENESS MONDAY ESU, on or about the 28th day of July 2026, in Lagos. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves and with other persons now at large to Knowingly transmit and cause the transmission of a false publication through the means of Computer systems and networks, concerning Access Bank Plc, to the effect that the Bank was shutting down its operations with effect from 23rd September 2026 and that all customers should close their accounts and withdraw their funds, and act done for the purpose of causing a break of law and order. and thereby committed an offence of Conspiracy, Contrary and Punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of THE CYBERCRIMES (PROHIBLIION, PREVENTION,ACT.) ACT, 2015 (AS AMENDED IN 2024),

COUNT TWO

That you. IDORENYIN SAMUEL UMOH and FINENESS MONDAY ESU. on or about the 28th day of July 2026, in Lagos. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly and intentionally sent and caused the transmission, through Facebook and WhatsApp. of a publication, which you knew to be false, representing that Access Bank Plc was shutting down its banking operating effect from 23rd September 2026 and urging members of the public and customers of the Bank to close their accounts and withdraw their funds, an act done for the purpose of causing of breakdown of Law and order, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(b) and punishable under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024).

COUNT THREE

That you. IDORENYIN SAMIUEL UMOH and FINENESS MONDAY ESU. on or about the 28th day of July 2026. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly of having reason to believe that the same was false. published and or reproduced a statement. rumour or report to the Access Bank Plc was shutting down its operations effective 23rd September 2026 and that customers should close their accounts and withdraw their funds. which publication was likely to cause fear and alarm to the public and disturb the public peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,

Keystone Bank has been appointed one of the accredited financial institutions through which qualifying investors can subscribe for shares in the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, one of the most significant industrial investments on the African continent.

The appointment enables the Bank to serve as an authorised gateway to the offer, giving Nigerians and eligible international investors the opportunity to become part-owners of the landmark enterprise.

Under the terms of the offer, 4.1 billion ordinary shares are available at N525 per share. The minimum subscription is 10 shares, valued at N5,250, with investors able to apply for additional shares in line with the conditions set out in the offer documents.

The subscription window opened on Monday, 14 September 2026 and is scheduled to close on 13 October 2026, subject to the provisions of the offer documentation.  Keystone Bank is encouraging interested investors including its non customers  and existing customers, to use its approved channels to take part in the offer.

Speaking on the appointment, Nnenna Anyim Okoro, Executive Director, Corporate Bank and South, Keystone Bank noted that  ” The Dangote Refinery Offer is more than an investment opportunity; it is an invitation for Nigerians to own a stake in an asset that is poised to contribute significantly to the nation’s industrial and economic future. As a Receiving Agent, Keystone Bank is proud to support this historic transaction by providing investors with a seamless, secure, and convenient subscription experience across our digital and physical channels.

We believe that access to wealth-creation opportunities should be simple, inclusive, and available to all. Through this offer, retail and corporate investors alike have the opportunity to participate in a landmark enterprise, and we are committed to making that journey as straightforward as possible”

Turning to how investors can take part in this opportunity, the ED pointed to the Bank’s approved subscription channels as the practical bridge between the public and the offer.

“As always, we encourage investors to undertake appropriate due diligence, carefully review the offer documentation, and make informed decisions consistent with their financial goals. We look forward to enabling wider participation in this significant milestone for Nigeria’s capital market and economic development.”
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Investors are advised to ensure that their personal and banking details including their Bank Verification Number (BVN) are accurate and up to date before submitting their applications.

Customers can access the offer through the Bank’s designated channels, subject to the applicable subscription process and terms, via https://www.keystonebankng.com/keystone-bank-dangote-petroleum-refinery-ipo/

The Dangote Refinery IPO is widely regarded as a defining transaction for the Nigerian capital market. Structured to widen ownership of the refinery, the public offer is designed to give retail investors a practical route into the business.

Accordingly, the Bank invites individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, institutional investors and other eligible parties interested in the offer to subscribe through Keystone Bank.

Investors are, however, advised to read the Prospectus and other offer documents carefully and to seek appropriate professional advice where necessary before investing.

Keystone Bank also advises investors to subscribe only through approved channels and to remain vigilant against fraudulent investment schemes. The official Dangote Refinery IPO website specifically warns investors never to disclose their PIN, password or OTP, or to pay money into a personal account.

Keystone Bank Limited is a leading Nigerian commercial bank, serving individuals, businesses, and corporate customers through a growing network of over 157 branches nationwide. Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2011, the Bank provides retail, commercial and digital banking solutions, with a strong focus on innovation, financial inclusion, and customer-centric services.