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By Zika Bobby
Union Bank of Nigeria, through its dedicated women’s proposition, αlpher, has partnered with the Zuri Circle Network to support 98 women entrepreneurs under the Fearless Female Founders 2.0 Accelerator Programme. The initiative aims to bridge critical gaps for female founders by offering capital access, mentorship, structured business training, and growth opportunities.
The programme received 2,810 applications nationwide, with 98 participants selected following a rigorous screening process evaluating operational viability, compliance, and financial record-keeping. The final cohort spanned several key sectors, including agriculture, agritech, fashion, manufacturing, food production, technology, and professional services. At the conclusion of the pitch presentations, five standout women-led enterprises were awarded cash grants.
Unlike temporary financial assistance, the initiative focuses on sustainable wealth creation and long-term economic impact. Supporting female founders provides a dual benefit: it expands deposit bases, improves credit performance due to higher repayment discipline among women, and drives financial inclusion across local communities.
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On the partnership with Zuri Circle network, Head of Retail Banking at Union Bank of Nigeria, Vivian Imoh-Itah, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to creating opportunities for women to achieve greater personal, professional and financial success.
“Through alpher, Union Bank restates its committed to creating meaningful opportunities for women to thrive personally, professionally, and financially. Our partnership with Zuri Circle Network on the Fearless Female Founders 2.0 Accelerator reflects our deliberate focus on supporting women entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, knowledge, and financial access they require to build sustainable businesses,” Imoh-Itah said.
“By investing in enterprises owned by women, we are not only empowering individual founders but also contributing to economic growth, job creation, and greater financial inclusion across Nigeria,” she added.
The Zuri Circle Network, co-founded in 2024 by Linda Ada Obi and Ajoke Yusuf, serves as a pan-African platform designed to help female leaders scale their enterprises and build long-term wealth. Through targeted capacity building and strategic partnerships, Union Bank continues to champion initiatives that drive economic independence for women across Nigeria.
