As the world gears up for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, Wema Bank is raising the bar with a grand celebration scheduled for March 4, 2026 — and it promises to be nothing short of impactful.
Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank and the trailblazer behind Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, says this year’s event will go beyond rhetoric.
Inspired by the global IWD theme, “Give To Gain,” Wema Bank is driving the powerful message: “When Women Gain, We Grow.”
The focus? Championing real action, real impact, and real opportunities for women.
Announcing the event, the Managing Director/CEO of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, reaffirmed the Bank’s long-standing commitment to gender inclusion, stressing that Wema Bank doesn’t just talk about empowering women — it actively leads the charge.
According to Oseni, societies that sideline women ultimately hold themselves back. That belief, he noted, inspired the launch of the Bank’s women-focused proposition, SARA by Wema, in 2019 — an initiative designed to provide tailored opportunities and sustained support for women while advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
He added that this year’s theme resonates deeply with the Bank, as its consistent investment in women has revealed the immense potential women possess both professionally and personally. For Wema Bank, 2026 is about spotlighting impact, celebrating progress, and inspiring individuals and institutions to take deliberate steps toward bridging the gender gap.
The event will bring together leading women across diverse industries alongside everyday women navigating career, business, and life challenges. It promises a dynamic platform for networking, shared experiences, and access to opportunities — all reinforcing one central message: when women are supported, everyone benefits.
Major Highlights to Watch
The 2026 IWD celebration will feature:
SARA Gives to Empower Her Award – offering grants to women who have made meaningful impact in the lives of other women.
He For She Award – recognising male employees who actively champion women beyond financial contributions.
Wema Knight Gives Initiative – a nationwide staff-driven outreach supporting women across Nigeria.
Launch of the Wema Bank Girl Child Journal – a powerful reflective journal featuring real-life insights and advice from 80 distinguished contributors across various sectors.
Participation is open to all, both physically and virtually. Interested attendees can register via wemabank.com/iwd.
With its 2026 IWD celebration, Wema Bank is once again positioning itself at the forefront of meaningful change — proving that empowering women is not just good advocacy, but smart progress for society as a whole.
