Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship women empowerment initiative, the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 (HAP 2.0), in a renewed drive to promote sustainable entrepreneurship among Nigerian women.
The bank said the enhanced programme is designed to equip women with practical, income-generating skills and provide structured pathways to business ownership, building on the successes recorded during the inaugural edition held in 2023.
Speaking at a media chat to herald the launch of HAP 2.0, the Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, explained that the initiative has been refined to deliver greater impact and long-term value for participants.
According to him, the second edition reflects the bank’s commitment to continuous improvement after carefully evaluating feedback from beneficiaries and partners involved in the first phase of the programme.
“HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 reflects our commitment to continuous improvement. Having evaluated feedback from the first edition, we have returned with stronger partnerships and deeper mentorship programmes to ensure that women acquire not just skills, but sustainable economic opportunities,” Ede stated.
He noted that at the core of the initiative is guided, real-world learning designed to expose participants to practical experiences under reputable institutions and seasoned industry experts.
Participants in HAP 2.0 will undergo intensive apprenticeship training across selected vocational fields such as hair styling, shoe making, auto mechatronics, and interior decoration, enabling them to develop hands-on competencies that can be immediately monetised.
Beyond technical skills acquisition, Ede emphasised that the programme incorporates structured mentorship and entrepreneurial development modules to help participants transition from trainees to successful business owners.
He disclosed that beneficiaries would receive business and financial literacy training, mentorship support throughout the apprenticeship period, and access to the bank’s women-focused and SME financial solutions tailored to support enterprise growth.
The initiative will also provide guidance on business formalisation, regulatory compliance, branding, and growth strategies to ensure that participants build sustainable ventures capable of scaling over time.
Ede stressed that by integrating apprenticeship training with entrepreneurial support systems, the bank aims to position women not merely as job seekers, but as job creators and economic drivers within their communities.
“By integrating structured mentorship with entrepreneurial development, Fidelity Bank is positioning women not just as trainees, but as future employers, innovators, and economic contributors within their communities. This aligns with our mandate to help individuals grow, businesses thrive, and economies prosper,” he added.
Interested participants have been encouraged to indicate their interest by registering through the dedicated application link provided by the bank.
Ranked among Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels and 255 business offices across Nigeria, as well as its United Kingdom subsidiary.
The bank has received multiple local and international recognitions, 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, alongside accolades as Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria and Export Financing Bank of the Year.
