Fidelity Bank donates 1,000 solar-powered school bags to Ogun pupils

Fidelity Bank Plc has introduced the “Lighting Young Minds” initiative by donating 1,000 solar-powered school bags to pupils attending public primary schools across Ogun State.

This represents a significant move by the bank towards enhancing access to quality education throughout Nigeria.

Launched at a special event held recently in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, the initiative demonstrates the bank’s dedication to addressing systemic obstacles to learning—especially the issue of inadequate electricity in marginalised communities.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, stated that the initiative corresponds with one of the bank’s core Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillars, which is to expand access to quality education.

“At Fidelity Bank, we see education as not only a means of knowledge transfer but as a transformative force—a bridge to opportunity,” she said.

She explained that under the bank’s SWEETA initiative, 1,000 solar-powered school bags are being donated to help children study safely at night without relying on hazardous candles or kerosene lamps.

“Beyond helping them improve their academic performance”, she added, “we want to inspire young minds to see that innovation and resilience can light the path to a better future.”

Onyeali-Ikpe further emphasised Fidelity Bank’s wider contributions to education, such as the SWEETA School Fees Support Initiative, which has provided over N8 billion in tuition support to qualified customers; the Read2Lead Writing Competition, which has benefited more than 3,000 students nationwide through awards and grants; the Back-to-School Loans for parents; the Fidelity EduLoan, which assists schools with infrastructure development and asset purchases; and the Green Energy Financing Program, which supports the solar-powered bag initiative by encouraging sustainable energy use in education through solar solutions.

The solar-powered bags—allocated for schools in all 20 local government areas of Ogun State—were formally unveiled by Onyeali-Ikpe alongside the First Lady of Ogun State, Bamidele Abiodun.

Abiodun commended the initiative, describing it as an essential and timely contribution to child development and foundational education.

“This initiative directly enhances learning for children in communities with limited electricity. It’s a brilliant example of how simple, practical innovations can drive profound change—keeping children in school and helping them thrive,” she said.

She also highlighted how the project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all, and she encouraged other private sector organisations to follow Fidelity Bank’s example in delivering social impact.

The Lighting Young Minds initiative builds upon Fidelity Bank’s vision of empowering Nigeria’s future generations through inclusive, sustainable, and innovative educational strategies. As the bank continues to close opportunity gaps, it remains dedicated to creating a brighter future for children across the nation.

Recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading banks, Fidelity Bank Plc is a fully licensed Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through its digital banking platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.