First City Monument Bank (FCMB) recently hosted its SheVentures Networking Summit under the theme “Engage, Empower & Unwind 2.0: The Power of Balance”, bringing together hundreds of female entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals. The event provided a platform where participants could learn, grow, and connect all while reflecting on how to balance ambition and well-being.
The summit featured fireside chats and networking sessions, which gave attendees the chance to hear directly from trailblazing women in business. Among those who spoke were Princess Adeyinka Tekenah, CEO of Happy Coffee Nigeria; Dr. Ella Ezeadilieje, a growth and personal-development strategist; and Teni Stuffman, CEO of Lebara Nigeria. Their stories and advice sparked lively conversations about leadership, growth, and resilience.
During the event, Felicia Obozuwa, Executive Director of Corporate Services and Service Management at FCMB, emphasized the bigger-picture goal of SheVentures. She stated that the platform isn’t just about social good: “At FCMB, we believe that empowering women is not just a social imperative; it is an economic strategy.” Through the SheVentures program, FCMB supports women entrepreneurs by offering capacity building, mentorship, and zero-interest loans. According to her, this creates “an ecosystem where women can grow businesses sustainably while finding the balance that fuels long-term success.”
Since its launch, SheVentures has helped thousands of Nigerian women. The initiative offers tailored financial support, including zero-interest financing, as well as training and mentoring opportunities.
FCMB’s commitment is deep-rooted. The SheVentures program includes interest-free loans up to ₦10 million for women-owned SMEs, depending on the sector. It also provides a structured 12-week mentorship program that covers financial management, market strategy, and business growth, with expert guidance by seasoned professionals.
At the summit, participants celebrated how SheVentures has already made a concrete difference. Over 2,000 women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have benefited from the program. Many of them shared how access to zero-interest loans, networking opportunities, and professional development has accelerated their business growth. Others spoke about the psychological value of being part of a supportive peer community.
For FCMB, SheVentures isn’t just a branding exercise; it’s part of its core mission to drive inclusive economic development. By building this ecosystem, the bank says it is helping women not only launch and scale their businesses, but also contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s broader economic future.
Empowering women entrepreneurs through initiatives like SheVentures helps close Nigeria’s gender financing gap, boosts SMEs, and strengthens the national economy. Women-led businesses drive job creation and GDP growth, especially when backed by zero-interest loans, mentorship, and capacity building.
