A 12-year-old boy, Chiderije Mbah, made history on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, when he stepped into the shoes of the Managing Director/CEO of Wema Bank for a day—an honour bestowed on him as part of the bank’s Children’s Day initiative celebrating youth leadership and early financial literacy.
Mbah, who was selected after submitting a compelling video detailing his dreams of heading a bank and making finance fun for kids, was unveiled at Wema Bank’s Lagos Marina headquarters. His vision, passion, and confidence outshone dozens of other entries in a competitive challenge that required children to post a video in Wema colours while holding or opening either a Royal Kiddies Account or an ALAT Xplore Wallet.
Upon arrival at the bank, the young MD was greeted with a purple-carpet reception and whisked into a day of immersive leadership experiences. From a guided tour of the head office to sitting at the head of the boardroom for a session with senior executives, Mbah was given full CEO treatment. His words reflected his joy: “This is the best day of my life. Wema Bank made me feel important, and now I want all my friends to open a Royal Kiddies Account too!”
The one-day CEO event was the highlight of Wema Bank’s broader campaign to mark Children’s Day while reinforcing its legacy of 80 years. The initiative aimed to introduce children to the world of finance with a touch of excitement, encouraging thousands of young Nigerians to dream big while learning essential money management skills from a young age.
Wema Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Moruf Oseni, praised the brilliance of the young star and the bank’s mission to nurture future leaders. “Our 80th anniversary is about legacy, and young stars like Chiderije represent that future. We’re not just banking on numbers; we’re banking on people—and especially children who will shape the future of our economy and society,” Oseni said.
The Royal Kiddies and ALAT Xplore campaigns have grown beyond savings products to become tools for empowerment. By aligning financial literacy with creativity, Wema Bank is championing a future where children are confident, financially informed, and ready to lead.
Chiderije’s win echoes the call for institutions to go beyond mere celebration and invest actively in the next generation. As the campaign trends across Nigeria, many have praised Wema for leading by example and creating platforms that give children real opportunities to learn, lead, and shine.
