Lagos, Nigeria — First City Monument Bank (FCMB) dey push entrepreneurial growth across Nigeria through their Business Empowerment Sustainability and Training (BEST) initiative. Yemisi Edun, di managing director of di bank, yarn this on March 18, 2025, during di BEST masterclass program. Di program dey focus on South-East, South-South, and parts of Northern Nigeria and e dey aim to empower start-ups and existing businesses with di skills wey dem need to grow.
“Investing in entrepreneurial talent na investment for Nigeria future,” Edun talk, as e highlight di importance of strengthening di private sector to drive national economic progress. Di BEST masterclass program, wey don kick off on March 12 and go run till March 21, 2025, go take place for Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Osun, and Ondo states.
Di initiative go provide comprehensive training wey go cover critical aspects of business management, like financial literacy, digital marketing, operational optimization, sustainable business practices, and strategic planning. Participants go also enjoy networking opportunities and mentorship from industry experts and business leaders. Dis go help dem build di necessary competencies to remain competitive.
George Ogbonnaya, di divisional head and senior VP of business banking for FCMB, emphasize say di bank dey committed to empowering SMEs. He say, “Our BEST masterclass na strategic intervention, wey go equip SMEs with di essential skills and resources to navigate and excel in di dynamic market.”
Since di launch of di program in 2018, over 44,278 entrepreneurs don benefit from di training. Ogbonnaya also explain say dem dey bridge di capacity gap, open market access, and deliver tailored financial solutions for di entrepreneurs in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, and Ondo states to achieve lasting prosperity.
<p“Dis initiative go help us drive innovation, growth, competitiveness, and job creation across di country,” Ogbonnaya add. As di program dey unfold, FCMB continues to showcase im commitment to di empowerment of local businesses across Nigeria, ensuring dem dey equipped to thrive in today’s market.
