Fidelity Bank Deepens Financial Inclusion with New Branch in Kebbi Community
By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
Residents of Kamba in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State have lauded the opening of a new Fidelity Bank Plc branch, describing it as a significant development that will ease long-standing financial and logistical challenges faced by farmers, small-scale traders, and other members of the community.
Chairman of Dandi Local Government Council, Dr. Mansur Isah-Kamba, described the development as a long-awaited relief following years of limited access to formal banking services. Represented by the Council Secretary, Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammad, he noted that residents including over 83 traditional rulers on the local government payroll previously had to travel to Birnin Kebbi to carry out basic banking transactions.
He stated that the new branch would significantly reduce the time, cost, and stress associated with accessing banking services outside the community, while commending Fidelity Bank for its commitment to supporting farmers and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
Also speaking, the Sarkin Shikon of Kamba, Alhaji Mahmoud Zarumai-Fana, emphasized that agriculture remains the dominant occupation in the area and expressed optimism that improved access to financial services would boost productivity and commercial activities.
He noted that farmers require essential inputs such as pumping machines, fertilisers, and pesticides, and that proximity to banking services would enhance their ability to save, access credit facilities, and benefit from agricultural intervention programmes.
At the official inauguration, the Regional Bank Head, North-West Region of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Muhammad Lawal-Ahijo, reiterated the bank’s commitment to expanding financial access and fostering economic growth nationwide.
He explained that the decision to establish the branch was driven by the belief that every community deserves access to reliable financial services that support individual growth, business expansion, and economic development. He described Kamba as a vibrant agricultural hub and noted that the new branch represents a strategic investment in the future of its farmers, traders, and households.
Lawal-Ahijo encouraged residents to take ownership of the facility by actively utilising its services, adding that the bank remains committed to supporting the informal sector, SMEs, and households with accessible financial solutions that promote sustainable growth.
In his remarks, a member of the Kebbi State House of Assembly representing Dandi Constituency, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman-Fana, described the new branch as a major milestone in advancing financial inclusion in rural communities.
He urged farmers, traders, and youths in the constituency to take full advantage of the opportunity to grow their businesses and improve their economic well-being.
Residents also expressed excitement over the positive impact the branch is expected to have on their daily activities. A petty trader, Mrs. Hassana Abubakar, said she previously had to shut down her shop whenever she travelled to Birnin Kebbi for banking transactions.
According to her, the availability of banking services within the community will enable her to manage her finances more efficiently without sacrificing business time.
The launch of the Fidelity Bank branch in Kamba underscores the bank’s continued commitment to promoting financial inclusion, strengthening rural economies, and empowering farmers and small businesses across Nigeria.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-service commercial bank serving over 10 million customers through its digital platforms, a network of 255 business offices across Nigeria, and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by the BusinessDay BAFI Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application Award by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider Award by Global Brands Magazine. It was also named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay BAFI Awards.
