Fidelity Bank Plc has unveiled the second edition of its acclaimed HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme (HAP 2.0), a move aimed at bolstering women’s economic independence in Nigeria’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape.
The initiative, aimed at equipping women with hands-on skills and entrepreneurial tools, promises to build on the triumphs of its debut last year, fostering a new generation of female innovators and job creators.
The announcement, made during a media briefing on Monday, underscores the bank’s ongoing commitment to gender empowerment in a country where women entrepreneurs face persistent barriers such as limited access to training and finance. HAP 2.0 is designed not just as a skills workshop but as a comprehensive pathway to sustainable self-employment, addressing key gaps in vocational education and business support for women.
Osita Ede, Divisional Head of Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, highlighted the program’s evolution during the session with journalists. “HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 reflects our commitment to continuous improvement,” Ede stated. “Having evaluated feedback from the first edition, we have returned with stronger partnerships and deeper mentorship programs to ensure that women acquire not just skills but sustainable economic opportunities.”
At the core of HAP 2.0 is a practical, apprenticeship-based learning model. Participants will engage in intensive training under established institutions and industry experts in high-demand fields, including hair styling, shoemaking, auto mechatronics, and interior decoration. These sectors were selected for their accessibility and potential for income generation, particularly in urban and rural communities where such trades can thrive with minimal startup capital.
What sets this edition apart, according to Ede, is its holistic approach beyond mere skill acquisition. Enrollees will benefit from an array of business advisory services, including tailored financial literacy workshops, ongoing mentorship throughout the program, and preferential access to Fidelity Bank’s specialized financial products for women and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). Additional guidance on business formalization—such as registration processes and compliance—and growth strategies will help participants scale their ventures effectively.
“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,” Ede emphasized. “This aligns with our mandate to help individuals grow, businesses thrive, and economies prosper.”
The inaugural HAP in 2023 reportedly graduated dozens of women who have since launched successful micro-enterprises, from bespoke fashion outlets to automotive repair shops, demonstrating the program’s real-world impact. Bank officials noted that participant feedback from that cohort directly informed enhancements in HAP 2.0, such as expanded partnerships with vocational training centers and more robust post-program support networks.
Fidelity Bank’s focus on women’s empowerment comes at a pivotal time for Nigeria’s economy, where female-led businesses contribute significantly to GDP but often struggle with systemic challenges like funding shortages and skill mismatches. Initiatives like HAP 2.0 align with broader national goals, including the government’s push for inclusive growth under its economic diversification agenda.
As a leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc operates as a full-fledged commercial deposit money bank with a robust footprint. It serves over 10 million customers through advanced digital banking channels and a network of 255 business offices across Nigeria. The bank’s international reach is extended via its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited, which supports cross-border trade and remittances vital to many Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Enrollment details for HAP 2.0 are expected to be released soon via the bank’s website and social media channels, with applications open to women from diverse backgrounds. As Nigeria grapples with youth unemployment and gender disparities, programs like this could serve as a model for private-sector involvement in social development, potentially inspiring similar efforts from other lenders.
Fidelity Bank’s leadership in this space reinforces its reputation as a forward-thinking institution dedicated to community upliftment. With HAP 2.0, the bank is not only investing in women but also in the future resilience of Nigeria’s economy.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Fidelity Bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 stands out as a powerful, practical step toward women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria.
Beyond teaching marketable skills like hairstyling, shoemaking, auto mechatronics, and interior decoration, the program delivers structured mentorship, business training, and direct access to tailored financial solutions—turning participants into sustainable entrepreneurs and future job creators, not just skilled workers.
