The Group Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc, Moruf Oseni, has attributed the indigenous conglomerate’s survival and sustained growth trajectory since 1945 to innovation and stakeholders’ trust.
Oseni, who spoke at the 80th anniversary of the conglomerate recently , explained that Wema Bank had become a generational wealth institution because “it was born out of a vision to create a bank that catered to the needs of indigenous Nigerians, which has placed on it the burden of care to go above and beyond to ensure that the legacy lives on.”
“Resilience is foundational for Wema Bank. It was a long-term commitment to serve Nigerians through various generations. Reaching 80 years is a celebration of longevity and a testament to the resilience of our brand and the trust of the people we serve,” he added.
He credited Wema Bank for pioneering initiatives that have defined the nation’s financial landscape, such as ALAT, Africa’s first fully digital bank, which has transformed banking experiences with seamless, branchless services. The other two industry-firsts from Wema Bank are CoopHub for cooperative societies and the ALAT Xplore App for teenagers.
As part of the celebrations, at least, 88 customers of Wema Bank received cash prizes of over N14 million. Tagged ‘80-For-80’ campaign, the anniversary reward scheme, which began on April 17, culminated in a grand gala held in Lagos. At the event, eight customers each received N1 million, while 80 other lucky winners took home N80,000 each. The giveaway was a grand finale to the bank’s customer appreciation initiative, which aimed to celebrate the bank’s loyal customers.
According to him, the bank’s avowed commitment to its foundational creed constantly fuels its transformation and inspiration to keep empowering people, businesses, and creatively providing value across generations.
“We have continued to reinvent, innovate, and adapt, develop and improve ways to create a more significant impact and meet the needs of the people as times evolve. When you consistently add value, you remain relevant, and when you continually adapt, change becomes a welcome challenge. This philosophy is how we have remained resilient for 8 decades, which is why we will continue to thrive in the decades to come,” the managing director emphasized.
Oseni explained further, “Our 80th anniversary celebrates resilience, innovation, and impact. As Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, we take pride in our legacy of trust, financial inclusion, and customer-focused solutions. This unique celebration will highlight our journey of transformation, our leadership in digital banking with ALAT and several other industry firsts pioneered by Wema Bank, and our commitment to driving economic growth’.
“More importantly, we will reaffirm our vision for the future -building a stronger, more innovative, and inclusive financial institution for the next generation. In one sentence, the key message would be: ’80 years of impact, a future of possibilities.
“Our focus as a Bank has been to serve Nigerians across multiple generations – from the Silent generation of 1945 to the present generation of Gen Z and Gen Alpha; our mission remains the same. This is why we have continued to innovate and reinvent ourselves. We are particularly committed to digital innovation to meet the evolving needs of younger generations. This goes beyond talk; we have demonstrated our commitment with consistent action over the decades.”
Wema Bank’s Hackaholics Tech Incubation Program has also enabled it to support tech-driven startups and foster innovation through mentorship, funding, and collaboration, which have positioned it as a forward-thinking institution committed to digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
Oseni, while presenting the gifts to the winners, reiterated the lender’s commitment to impacting lives. saying :
“We chose to give back in this way because our customers are the heartbeat of our success. It gives us great joy to know that this celebration is also about the lives we can touch. At Wema Bank, every milestone is an opportunity to show appreciation and deepen our connection with the people who make our journey possible.”
Established during the colonial period to serve the indigenous people of the country at a time when foreign banks were not adequately supporting them, Wema Bank has become a household name because it has continued to deliver excellent service for over eight decades. ‘The Bank is stronger than ever at 80 years and is, without a doubt, a force to be reckoned with and a brand to look out for”, Oseni stated.
