In the spirit of Children’s Day 2025, Wema Bank on Tuesday handed the reins of leadership to twelve-year-old Chiderije Mbah, who served as the bank’s one-day managing director and chief executive.
The ceremonial gesture at the bank’s Lagos headquarters was the highlight of Wema Bank’s 80th-anniversary celebration, blending fun, inspiration, and a glimpse into the future. Chiderije earned the opportunity after winning the One-Day MD/CEO challenge, where he impressed judges with a lively video about his dream of making banking fun and accessible for kids.
Decked out in Wema Bank colours, the preteen received a warm welcome, complete with a purple carpet. He wasted no time embracing his new role, conducting an executive briefing, touring the bank’s offices and even brainstorming ideas with senior executives.
“This is the best day of my life,” Chiderije said, beaming with excitement. “Wema Bank made me feel important. I am learning so much about being a leader and how banking works. I’ll tell all my friends to open a Wema Bank Royal Kiddies Account so they can also start learning how to save and maybe one day, they can be MD too!”
Wema Bank’s actual MD/CEO Moruf Oseni expressed pride in the initiative.
“Our 80th anniversary is a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going, knowing fully well that the future belongs to the young stars like Chiderije. Today’s activity is one of our ways of showing that we believe in the children, that we’re listening, and that we’re committed to helping them succeed financially, personally, and professionally all the way,” Mr Oseni said.
The One-Day MD/CEO event was part of a broader Children’s Day campaign that introduced thousands of kids to financial literacy in a fun and engaging way.
