Wema Bank said its One-Day MD/CEO initiative was created to spotlight young talent and inspire leadership ambition in children across Nigeria.
Its recent competition saw dozens of entries from aspiring child leaders,where 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah was declared winner of the 2025 version of the Initiative as Mbah took over the reins of the bank on May 27, 2025, as part of the financial institution’s Children’s Day activities.
Participants were asked to submit video pitches detailing their ideal role in the bank and why they believed they deserved the opportunity. Chiderije’s submission stood out for its eloquence, clarity of vision, and passion for leadership, earning him the prestigious honour of leading Nigeria’s oldest indigenous and most innovative bank, Wema Bank, for a day.
On the morning of his takeover, Chiderije arrived at the Bank’s Head Office in Lagos to a purple carpet reception and a warm welcome by top executives. From meeting with key management members to making real-time executive decisions, he was given full exposure to the demands and responsibilities of a CEO. But he did not stop at merely observing, he came prepared to lead.
Chiderije’s bold debut was followed by a deeply symbolic moment: the official handover of the MD/CEO insignia from Wema Bank’s substantive managing director and CEO, Moruf Oseni, who commended the young leader’s courage and foresight.
Oseni announced he would be giving his one-day salary for May 27 to Chiderije, as a reward for taking on the responsibilities of the day. “The Wema way is ‘work hard, reward hard,’ and as MD/CEO for today, Chiderije will experience it firsthand,” he said.
The MD/CEO went on to highlight Wema Bank’s commitment to life-long empowerment, captured in the Bank’s enduring creed: “With You, All The Way.” He reaffirmed the Bank’s belief that empowering children today lays the foundation for a better Nigeria, and a more inclusive, visionary financial sector.
“Every great man, woman, or even institution was once a child. If we are truly committed to shaping the future, we must start by empowering children today. This is why Children’s Day is important to Wema Bank as a celebration and a serious leadership development opportunity,” Oseni remarked.
“I’m very grateful to Wema Bank for trusting me with this great opportunity. I have had the best day experiencing Wema Bank from within as the one-day MD/CEO for Children’s Day, and I wanted more children to enjoy like I have. So, to make this occasion even more special, I decided to commission some special rewards,” said Chiderije.
The One-Day MD/CEO initiative is part of Wema Bank’s broader suite of youth-focused solutions which include the Royal Kiddies Account for children aged 0–12 and the ALAT Xplore App for teenagers aged 13–17; both of which help parents instill smart financial habits in their children from an early age while empowering young users with tools for saving, budgeting, and learning.
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