To demonstrate his constant support for Nigerian kids, Moruf Oseni, the MD/CEO of Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has donated his one day salary for May 27, to Chiderije Mbah, a 12-year-old child who emerged winner in the Wema Bank 1-day MD/CEO initiative for Children’s Day.
Chiderije emerged winner after uploading a spirited clip detailing his dream of leading a bank and his vision for making finance more accessible for kids like him. His video, submitted amid a WEMA Bank social media challenge, was excellent enough to be singled out among other entries from children seeking the same coveted position for 24 hours.
The One-Day Wema Bank MD/CEO was the highlight of a broader Children’s Day initiative by Wema Bank, which invited kids from across Nigeria to partake in an online challenge. To qualify, Nigerian kids were tasked to share a short video of themselves dressed in Wema colours while revealing the banking role they admire the most. The children also had to own or open a Royal Kiddies Account (for ages 0–12) or an ALAT Xplore Wallet (for teenagers 13–17) to be eligible.
From his heartwarming reception at the bank’s head office facility in Lagos to his personal meetings with top executives of the bank, Nigerians all across the globe applauded the initiative, praising the financial institution for doing more than enough to empower the children to be the leaders of tomorrow.
What shocked many who were present at the Lagos office was Moruf Oseni, the Bank’s MD/CEO, handing over his one-day salary for May 27 to the 1-day Wema Bank MD/CEO, Chiderije Mbah, encouraging him to continue working hard towards his dream of becoming an MD/CEO someday.
As he officially handed over the symbols of office to the youngster, Moruf emphasized that every great man was once a child, and to build the leaders of tomorrow, crucial steps to make it happen must be taken today.
The CEO reiterated that Wema Bank will not stop creating innovative ways to empower children for the right future because the mission of the financial institution will always be to empower lives through innovation.
“As a Bank, our mission is to empower lives through innovation, and this is a mission we are committed to seeing through from cradle to grave, as encapsulated in our creed, ‘With You, All The Way’. This is why Children’s Day is so important to us. Every great man, woman or even institution, was once a child, so to forge the leaders of tomorrow, we need to begin today.
We can all agree that Wema Bank has been walking the talk over the past 8 decades, thinking out of the box, and creating innovative ways to empower children for the right future. But today, in commemoration of Children’s Day 2025, we are taking things a step further and giving the leaders of tomorrow a platform to lead today. As Chiderije will be carrying out my duties for today, it is only right that he earns my one-day salary today. The Wema way is ‘work hard, reward hard’, and as MD/CEO for today, Chiderije will experience it first-hand. It is our hope that this will inspire not just him, but every other child to put in the good work and make us proud. Happy Children’s Day, from Wema Bank,” he said.
Appreciating Moruf Oseni for the kind gesture, Chiderije thanked Wema Bank for not only supporting Nigerian parents to raise their children right, but also empowering the young ones with the required tools and guidance to become financial experts as they advance in age.
The 12-year-old saluted the bank for staying strong for 80 years while appreciating its MD for trusting him with such an important responsibility.
“Thank you very much Sir, for trusting me with this great opportunity, and for always looking out for the children. I am proud to be a part of the Wema Bank family, the bank that not only supports our parents in raising us the right way but also empowers us with the tools and guidance that we need to become financially smart as we grow older. Today has shown me that the sky is just the starting point for every child, and I am excited to spread the word to other children. I look forward to learning from you, the experts, and getting more insights into what it means to be a leader, especially for an organisation like Wema Bank, that has stood strong for 80 years. Thank you again for giving me your time and trusting me with this important responsibility. I will make Wema Bank proud!” he added.
