Bank Deepens Youth Empowerment With Summit On Financial Discipline, Career, Finance

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has deepened its youth empowerment efforts by supporting and participating in the 2026 Peak Performer Emerging Leaders’ Summit, which brought together 1,000 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for practical sessions on financial discipline, career development, entrepreneurship and leadership.

The summit, convened by Dr Abiola Salami and organised by The Peak Performer Africa, was held on August 19 at Solution Arena, Lagos, under the theme, “I Move with G.R.I.T. – From Potential to Performance.”

Speaking on the objective of the summit, founder of The Peak Performer Africa and convener of the programme, Dr Abiola Salami, said the initiative was designed to help young Nigerians move beyond potential to measurable achievement.

“Potential is a starting point, not an outcome. Young people need the mindset, capability, and discipline to take deliberate action and produce evidence of progress. The real measure of this summit will be what participants execute after leaving the venue,” he said.

As part of FCMB’s participation, the bank’s Group Head of Retail Asset Products, Olajire Awofisibe, joined other professionals and business leaders in a panel session focused on the skills and attributes young people need to enter the workplace, distinguish themselves and advance their careers.

Awofisibe also served as a faculty member in the Get Financially Strong laboratory, where participants learnt about budgeting, saving, responsible borrowing, credit management and financial decisions associated with earning their first salaries.

He said the transition from national service into employment or entrepreneurship requires young people to develop sound financial habits early.

“The transition from national service to employment or entrepreneurship comes with important financial decisions. Income alone does not create financial security. What matters is how consistently people budget, save, use credit and plan for the future,” Awofisibe said.

He added that while responsible borrowing could support productive goals, young people must avoid taking credit without a clear repayment strategy.

“Responsible borrowing can help people pursue useful goals, but credit becomes a burden when it finances consumption without a clear repayment plan. Developing sound money habits from the first income provides a stronger foundation for the future,” he said.

The summit also featured panel discussions, practical learning sessions, entertainment and audience engagement activities. Nigerian Idol winner Victory Gbakara and first runner-up Precious Mac shared their experiences on the preparation, discipline and courage required to transform talent into performance.

Following the summit, participants commenced a 30-Day MOVE Challenge aimed at translating lessons from the programme into practical action.

Working in groups, the participants developed projects across the five pathways, identified beneficiaries and milestones, and presented their plans for review. Each participant also committed to completing and documenting a specific action within 30 days.

FCMB said its support for the programme forms part of its broader efforts to equip young Nigerians with financial knowledge, workplace skills and capabilities needed to build sustainable careers and businesses.