The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”.

Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said:

“Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

Today, human curiosity is expanding, and the way Nigerians express it is evolving. We are speaking to our phones, snapping photos of things we like, and asking incredibly complex questions.

For the Nigerian business owner, understanding this shift is a massive opportunity to get discovered by eager customers.

Here are four ways AI is rewriting how Nigerians search, along with simple steps to ensure your business is exactly what they find.

Visual Discovery is the New Normal

People are increasingly using their cameras to discover the world around them. Picture someone spotting a brilliant pair of sneakers in traffic and wanting to know exactly where to buy them. Today, shoppers simply take out their phones and search visually.

Tools like Google Lens now process over 25 billion visual searches every single month, and many of these searches are from people looking to make a purchase.

How to adapt: Your product’s visual appeal is paramount. Make sure you upload clear, high quality images of your products to your website and social media.

When a customer snaps a picture of a bag that looks like the one you sell, having great photos ensures your business pops up in their visual search results.

Conversations Replace Simple Keywords

Shoppers are asking highly nuanced, conversational questions. They are typing queries like, “Where can I find affordable leather shoes in Ikeja that are open on Sundays and do home delivery?”

To handle these detailed questions, new features like AI Overviews act like a superfast librarian that has read everything on the web. It provides users with a perfectly organized summary and links to dig deeper.

How to adapt: Answer your customers’ questions before they even ask. Create detailed, helpful content on your website and fully update your Google Business Profile. List your opening hours, delivery areas, and unique services clearly.

This ensures the technology easily finds your details and recommends your business when a customer asks a highly specific question.

Intent Matters More Than Exact Words

Predicting every single word a customer might use to find your product is a huge task for any business owner. Thankfully, modern search technology focuses on the underlying need behind a search.

If someone searches for “how to bring small dogs on flights,” AI understands that the person likely needs to buy an airline approved pet carrier. The technology looks at the true intent of the shopper.

How to adapt: You no longer need to obsess over guessing exact keywords. By using AI powered campaigns, you allow the technology to understand your products and match them to the customer’s true needs.

Your business will show up for highly relevant searches, bringing you customers who are actively looking for solutions you provide.

Smart Assistants Handle the Heavy Lifting

Running a business in Nigeria requires incredible hustle. Managing digital marketing on top of daily operations takes significant time and energy.

The next frontier in digital advertising introduces agentic capabilities, which hold a simple promise of delivering better results for your business with much less effort.

The technology now acts as your personalized assistant.

How to adapt: You can simplify your marketing by using the Power Pack of AI driven campaigns, including Performance Max. You simply provide your business goals, your budget, and your creative assets like photos and videos.

The AI automatically finds new, high value customers across Google Search, YouTube, and the web. It adapts your ads in real time to match exactly what the shopper is looking for, allowing you to focus on running your business.

The language of curiosity is constantly expanding. Nigerians are discovering brands in entirely new ways using cameras, voice notes, and highly specific questions.

By understanding these behaviours and embracing helpful AI tools, you can let the technology connect eager customers directly to your digital doorstep.

Analysts appraising the ongoing recapitalisation programme believe that the regulatory backing and shareholders’ support for the merger represent the most important milestones for meeting the recapitalisation requirements within the stipulated timeline.

Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) backed the merger between the two lenders, with a pivotal financial accommodation to support the transaction.

The merger also received a further boost with a “no objection” nod from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 The regulatory approvals form part of broader efforts to strengthen the resilience of Nigeria’s banking system, reinforce capital adequacy across the sector, and mitigate potential systemic risks.

The development positions the combined entity among the 21 banks that have satisfied the apex bank’s new capital threshold for national banking operations.

Through the proposed merger, the combined capital base of Unity Bank and Providus Bank exceeds N200 billion, which is the minimum requirement to retain a national banking licence under the CBN’s recapitalisation framework.

The transaction marks a significant milestone in strengthening the financial stability and long-term competitiveness of the enlarged institution.

Following the CBN’s approval, shareholders of both banks overwhelmingly endorsed the merger at their respective Extraordinary General Meetings held in September 2025, where the scheme of merger was formally adopted. The transaction has since progressed with additional regulatory clearances from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other relevant authorities. Integration activities between the two institutions are currently underway, with the final court sanction expected to conclude the process.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank, Ebenezer Kolawole, described the development as a defining moment for the institution, adding that the complementary strengths and unique advantages of the Unity Bank and Providus Bank merger place the new entity on a strong footing to create and leverage opportunities in the market.

“This milestone underscores our commitment to building a stronger, more resilient bank that can deliver greater value to our customers and stakeholders. The merger with Providus Bank significantly enhances our capital base, operational capacity, and strategic positioning. We are confident that the combined institution will be better equipped to support economic growth and deliver innovative financial solutions across Nigeria.”

The Bank further clarified that, contrary to reports in certain sections of the media suggesting that the merger process had stalled, the transaction remains firmly on track. The necessary regulatory steps have been completed, with a few other steps only a matter of formality.

When completed, the Unity-Providus merger is expected to deliver a stronger, more competitive, and customer-centric financial institution, one with the scale, innovation, and reach to redefine the retail and SME banking landscape in Nigeria.

Unity Bank Plc has announced the winners of the 27th edition of its Corpreneurship Challenge, awarding millions in equity-free grants to fresh graduates from OAU, UNN, and The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

The initiative, which functions as a nationwide incubator for the “Batch C, Stream 2” cohort, has now produced 638 young entrepreneurs since its inception, with a cumulative investment exceeding ₦300 million.

The ‘Demo Day’ Winners

This edition saw a diverse range of hardware and service-based startups emerging from the 10-state pitch competition. Unlike pure software plays, these “Corpreneurs” are tackling the real-sector economy:

Lagos State Grand Prize (₦800,000): Awolumate Fawaz Babatunde, a Civil Engineering graduate (The Polytechnic, Ibadan), for a high-scale fashion design enterprise.

Rivers State Top Pitch: Abdur-Razaq Sayfullah Adebola (OAU graduate), for an innovative footwear manufacturing business.

Kwara State Winner: Olatunde Esther Funmilayo (OOU graduate), for a chemical production and deodorant service startup.

The SME Pipeline: Bridging the Capital Gap

For most fresh graduates, the “Valley of Death” happens immediately after the NYSC year when ideas meet a lack of capital. Unity Bank’s strategy is to intervene at this “Pre-Seed” stage.

“Many young Nigerians possess viable business ideas but lack the initial capital. The Corpreneurship Challenge was designed to bridge that gap by providing financial backing and mentorship at a critical stage,” says Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, Divisional Head, Retail, SME & E-Business at Unity Bank.

The Corpreneurship Impact (2019–2026)

Why Banks like Unity Bank are Betting on SAED

By partnering with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program, Unity Bank is essentially “de-risking” future SME loans.

By training and funding graduates during their service year, the bank is building a loyal base of business banking customers who are already “structure-ready” before they even hit the open market.

In a climate where white-collar jobs are shrinking, this “incubation-in-a-camp” model is becoming a vital part of Nigeria’s broader SME and E-Business infrastructure.

The initiative, implemented in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, continues to equip fresh graduates with the funding, confidence, and support required to launch and scale viable businesses.

In the most recent edition of the Corpreneurship Challenge, held between November 18 and December 9, 2025, across 10 NYSC orientation camps nationwide, 30 youth corps members emerged as winners during the Batch C, Stream I, 2025 exercise of the programme.

The latest beneficiaries were selected from orientation camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Enugu, Abia, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akwa Ibom, and Plateau (Jos), after pitching innovative business ideas across diverse sectors of the economy.

Unity Bank’s cumulative investment in the Corpreneurship Challenge underscores the Bank’s long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, MSME development, and job creation in Nigeria.

Speaking on the continued impact of the initiative, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed the Bank’s belief in entrepreneurship as a catalyst for economic transformation.

“At Unity Bank, we recognise that entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective tools for tackling youth unemployment and driving inclusive economic growth. Through the Corpreneurship Challenge, we are not only providing financial support, but also instilling confidence in young graduates to transform viable ideas into sustainable businesses. Reaching over 600 beneficiaries since inception reinforces our belief in the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth,” she said.

Mrs. Abimbola further emphasised the programme’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem and creating long-term economic value.

“Small and medium-scale enterprises are the backbone of any resilient economy. By supporting corps members at the earliest stage of their entrepreneurial journey, we are helping to build businesses that can create jobs, stimulate local economies, and contribute meaningfully to national development. Our focus is on impact that goes beyond grants, impact that translates into lasting livelihoods,” she added.

The Corpreneurship Challenge provides a competitive platform where corps members pitch business ideas, assessed on originality, feasibility, market demand, scalability, and job-creation potential. Successful participants receive financial grants to kick-start or expand their ventures, alongside exposure to business guidance and mentorship.

Since its launch, the initiative has supported youth-led businesses across value chains, including fashion, agribusiness, food processing, creative services, manufacturing, and retail.

Over the years, it has become an integral part of the NYSC experience, attracting thousands of applications annually and earning national recognition for its contribution to youth empowerment.

By sustaining and expanding the Corpreneurship Challenge, Unity Bank continues to reinforce its role as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial and MSME development landscape.

Mr. Kolawole gave the charge while addressing students of Alvana Model Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State, as part of the financial literacy training organized by the Bank to mark this year’s World Savings Day.

Represented by Mr. William Odigie, Unity Bank’s Zonal Head, South East/South South, Mr. Kolawole reaffirmed Unity Bank’s commitment to deepening financial inclusion among young Nigerians as it joined global institutions to commemorate this year’s World Savings Day, themed “Beyond Savings – Building Financial Resilience.”

The Bank participated in nationwide Financial Literacy Training sessions held simultaneously across the country, an initiative led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers’ Committee, Deposit Money Banks and Junior Achievement Nigeria, aimed at improving financial inclusion and equipping young people with essential money management skills.

Speaking during the training, Mr. Kolawole stressed that “savings is foundational to financial planning, financial management and investment, and therefore the Youth must imbibe the culture of savings not just as mere financial activity, but to enable them to create financial security and independence in the long run”.

He noted that Unity Bank continues to prioritise financial literacy initiatives because early exposure to money management helps young people mitigate uncertainties and economic shocks that may hinder their ability to meeting goals.

The training sessions, facilitated by Unity Bank staff across multiple states, exposed students to practical lessons on budgeting, financial goals and seminar classes and workshops.

World Savings Day, celebrated annually on October 31, promotes the importance of savings as a cornerstone of economic resilience.

In Nigeria, Deposit Money Banks collaborate with the CBN and partner organisations to deliver training programmes that equip students with lifelong financial skills.

Unity Bank’s participation reflects its ongoing dedication to supporting youth development and strengthening the financial literacy ecosystem across the country.

Over this period, the Bank has invested in supporting budding entrepreneurs across multiple sectors to start businesses, create jobs, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

The ongoing initiative recently produced 30 new winners, who received a total grant of ₦16 million during the Batch B, Stream II edition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course, held across 10 states of the federation.

The winners, innovative young entrepreneurs developing solutions across various value chains such as fashion design, bag making, pastry and beverage production, event management, and vegetable farming, emerged after pitching their business ideas during the challenge at NYSC Orientation Camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Kogi, Rivers, and Plateau States.

At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, Lagos State, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo, who pitched a soap-making enterprise, emerged the overall winner to clinch the ₦800,000 grand prize. Ndukwe Chiamaka Joan, with her innovative Small Chops business proposal, claimed ₦500,000 as first runner-up, while Barakat Modinat Olamide secured ₦300,000 to support her beverage-making venture.

Expressing her excitement after emerging as the overall winner in Lagos, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo described the experience as life-changing, stating,

“I’m truly grateful to Unity Bank for this opportunity. Winning the Corpreneurship Challenge has given me the push and confidence I needed to scale my soap-making business. Beyond the grant, the experience taught me how to structure my business better and believe in its potential. It’s amazing to see a bank that genuinely invests in young people’s dreams.”

Across the remaining nine states, 27 other winners also emerged after pitching diverse business ideas ranging from fish and poultry farming to printing, piggery, and cake production.

Over the past six years, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has become an integral part of the NYSC programme, aligning with the Federal Government’s drive to upskill young graduates and promote entrepreneurship amid the scarcity of white-collar jobs.

Each edition attracts thousands of entries from corps members whose business plans are evaluated for originality, marketability, job creation potential, and overall business acumen.

Speaking during the grand finale in Lagos, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth through enterprise. She said:

“At Unity Bank, we believe that the energy and creativity of young Nigerians are vital to the nation’s economic transformation. The Corpreneurship Challenge is our way of nurturing this potential — by giving corps members the financial boost, mentorship, and confidence to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Seeing over 578 young entrepreneurs already impacted motivates us to keep expanding the initiative and deepening our support for the SME ecosystem.”

The Corpreneurship Challenge has earned Unity Bank national recognition for its role in youth empowerment and job creation, attracting over 2,000 applicants per edition.

In partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the initiative continues to serve as a launchpad for youth-owned enterprises, offering grants of up to ₦800,000 to help corps members turn their business dreams into reality.

Making the remarks at the flag off of the Customer Service Week 2025 in Unity Bank, Mr. Kolawole stated that “apart from constantly improving the way in which better customer support can be achieved, the increasing sophistication of our customers have made the Bank to also begin to focus more on customer experience innovation with investment being made in technology, systems, and people which enable us redefine our customer journey altogether”.  

While extolling the Bank for always rising to any occasion, the Managing Director celebrated the resilient frontline staff for their unwavering dedication and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer service across all touch points, stating that this year’s celebration, themed “Mission: Possible,” underscores the Bank’s unwavering belief that every customer needs can be met through innovation, teamwork, and with service culture.

“The Bank’s customer service teams are well acclaimed for their passion, professionalism, and resilience in fulfilling the institution’s mission to provide exceptional service to its growing customer base”, the Unity Bank MD further stated.

In further acknowledgement, Mr. Kolawole stated: “At Unity Bank, our mission is clear, to make banking simple, accessible, and rewarding for every customer. ‘Mission Possible’ captures the spirit with which we approach every challenge and opportunity to serve; whether through our digital platforms, branch interactions, or customer support channels”.

Additionally, the Bank’s Chief Customer Service Officer, Elfrida Igebu, emphasised the significance of recognising and celebrating staff who consistently go above and beyond to serve customers.

“This year’s theme reminds us that what may seem challenging is always achievable with the right attitude, teamwork, and customer-first mindset. Our frontline teams embody this every day by demonstrating that at Unity Bank, service excellence is not just a goal, it is our mission,” Igebu said.

Throughout the week, Unity Bank organised activities across its branches and offices nationwide to reflect the Customer Service Week 2025, from customer appreciation engagements, Award of recognition for Staff, setting up festive ambience and decor, flamboyant service and cultural costumes donned by members to digital media activations. 

In time past, Unity Bank was among the first financial institutions to introduce a multilingual USSD platform, *7799#, and from then onwards, the Bank continues to upgrade features of its mobile banking platform, Unifi app, for optimisation, reinforcing customer experience innovation and convenience.

The call was made at the event marking this year’s World Environment Day facilitated by Unity Bank’s Sustainability Team to fashion out innovative strategies to curb plastic pollution in Nigeria in line with this year’s global theme: “Ending Plastic Pollution.”

In his remarks, Mr. Usman Abdulkadir, Executive Director, Risk Management, Unity Bank Plc, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to sustainability, adding that issues like plastic pollution carry deep risk implications for businesses and communities.

“Environmental degradation is increasingly a business risk, not just a corporate social concern,” Mr. Abdulkadir stated. “We must all begin to view environmental stewardship as a duty that cuts across sectors – finance, government, industry, and civil society. Unity Bank remains committed to integrating ESG principles into its risk frameworks and sustainability agenda.”

Guest speakers included leading waste management entrepreneurs and environmental activists such as Sunday Kolawole Sholanke, Co-founder/CEO of PETsPoint Recycling Nigeria, and Omoh Alokwe, Co-founder/CEO of Street Waste Company Limited.

Speaking at the Webinar, Mr. Sholanke decried the alarming volume of plastic waste in Nigeria, putting estimates on the country’s waste generation to about 596 million metric tonnes annually, with 88% of it neither reclaimed nor recycled.

“Nigeria ranks as the 9th highest contributor to global plastic pollution. Much of Nigeria’s plastic waste ends up in landfills, drainage systems, and water bodies, causing extensive environmental damage and posing serious health risks,” he explained.

He also shared startling global statistics:

“Over one million plastic bottles and 10 million plastic bags are produced every minute. In 2020 alone, eight million tons of plastic bottles were produced globally, with less than 30% collected and under 10% recycled. The rest is dumped, burned, or abandoned in the environment, worsening risks of flooding, climate disruption, and disease.”

He identified poor waste management culture, low public awareness, and lack of community collection infrastructure as major factors aggravating the Nigeria’s plastic waste crisis.

Calling on the financial services sector to be more proactive, Sholanke urged Banks to invest in green financing by increasing access to affordable credit for green businesses and eco-friendly initiatives.

Also speaking, Omoh Alokwe emphasized the role of regulators in strengthening enforcement and updating policy frameworks to reduce harmful practices that fuel the global plastic crisis.

Also speaking in the same vain, Mr. Ibukun Coker, Head of Strategy and Innovation at Unity Bank Plc emphasized the Bank’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental protection, highlighting the role of the financial sector in driving meaningful change.

“Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue, it is an economic and public health crisis,” said Mr. Coker. “At Unity Bank, we believe that sustainability should be more than a policy; it must be embedded in how we operate, the projects we finance, and the partnerships we build.”

The webinar offered a platform for robust dialogue around sustainable actions and innovative solutions that can mitigate the escalating threat of plastic pollution and promote environmental protection.

Unity Bank has consistently championed environmental causes, including its annual Earth Day partnerships with non-profits such as RESWAYE to clean the Royal Beach in Elegushi, Lagos, part of its mission to protect marine ecosystems.

In its most recent Earth Day campaign, the Bank challenged every staff member across 32 states to plant a tree in their locality, driving a grassroots reforestation movement and reinforcing environmental awareness.

This pledge was made during a high-level strategic business engagement held at Unity Bank’s head office in Lagos on Friday, with AfriGo’s Executive Management team.

Speaking during the session, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, Unity Bank’s managing director/CEO, stated: “We are committed to making the AfriGo Card a primary delivery channel for Unity Bank. As a national domestic card scheme, it deserves to be promoted both internally and externally as a local solution with significant potential to redefine Nigeria’s card payment landscape.”

Mr. Kolawole also pledged the Bank’s continued support for the adoption of AfriGo cards across its network, while urging AfriGo to intensify awareness campaigns to drive greater market acceptability.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of AfriGo, Ebehijie Momoh, commended Unity Bank for the support it has given the scheme, stating that the Bank ranks among the top five adopters of the AfriGo card and highlighted its growing impact in expanding financial inclusion and improving access to electronic payments.

He noted that AfriGo has continued to innovate with technologies that support instant payments and offline capabilities, ensuring broader access to e-payment systems across underserved markets. He added that partnerships with solutions like Tap & Go have helped boost contactless payment adoption, improving convenience for cardholders who commute for work, business, or leisure.

Momoh expressed optimism about the potential of Unity Bank’s extensive retail network to drive deeper collaboration aimed at enhancing e-banking penetration nationwide.

This collaboration underscores Unity Bank’s enduring culture of digital innovation and its commitment to financial inclusion through homegrown technology. Over the years, the Bank has introduced several digital solutions that demonstrate this commitment.

Notably, Unity Bank pioneered USSD banking, *7799#, in local languages, an initiative aimed at deepening access among underserved rural and semi-urban populations.

It also launched Unifi, a youth-focused digital banking platform designed to meet the lifestyle and financial needs of the younger demographic.

Most recently, the Bank unveiled GenFi, a gamified mobile banking solution tailored for children and teenagers to cultivate smart money habits from an early age.