Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to social impact and community development with the donation of essential materials to inmates at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos.
The initiative, carried out under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform, the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), involved the presentation of household tools and other relief items to the management of the custodial facility to support inmates’ welfare and rehabilitation.
The FHHP is a staff-driven intervention programme through which employees across Fidelity Bank’s branches nationwide identify pressing needs within their communities and raise funds to address them. The bank’s management matches the contributions and disburses the funds for execution of selected projects.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the Chief Human Resources Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Charles Nwachukwu, reiterated the bank’s dedication to restoring hope and empowering vulnerable members of society.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that every individual deserves a second chance. Our approach to Corporate Social Responsibility is rooted in empathy — standing with communities, uplifting the vulnerable, and creating pathways for brighter futures. By supporting inmates today, we are contributing to their rehabilitation and helping them return to society as productive and confident citizens,” he said.
Nwachukwu emphasized that sustainable development goes beyond financial performance, noting that corporate institutions have a responsibility to extend compassion and opportunity to underserved groups.
In his response, the Deputy Controller of Corrections at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, Dr. Julius Ogueri, commended Fidelity Bank for the thoughtful gesture and called on Nigerians to shun cybercrime and avoid stigmatizing ex-inmates.
He highlighted the operational challenges facing correctional facilities across the country, disclosing that the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, originally built to accommodate 800 inmates, currently houses over 3,000 inmates. According to him, 396 inmates are convicted persons, while the majority are awaiting trial.
Ogueri stressed the importance of rehabilitation programmes within custodial centres, revealing that 72 inmates are currently enrolled with the National Open University of Nigeria, while 120 inmates have benefited from WAEC and GCE support initiatives.
He noted that partnerships with corporate organizations like Fidelity Bank play a vital role in improving inmate welfare and strengthening rehabilitation efforts.
Fidelity Bank’s outreach to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre underscores its broader commitment to advancing social responsibility and making meaningful contributions to community development across Nigeria.
Ranked among Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 9.1 million customers through its digital banking channels, 255 business offices nationwide, and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received multiple local and international awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by 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 recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and named Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay BAFI Awards.
