Over 4,000 women from across Nigeria converged at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, for Stanbic IBTC Bank’s 2025 Bloom Weekend, a powerful two-day gathering designed to equip women with practical business skills, free POS machines, funding opportunities, and access to mentorship.

In her opening remarks, Jumoke Bello appreciateed the resilience and brilliance of Nigerian women, urging participants to seize every opportunity at the event.

“This year’s theme, Bloom Beyond Limits, reflects our belief that women can break through every barrier, lead with confidence, and leave lasting legacies,” she said.

According to her Bloom Weekend 2025, one thing was clear: Stanbic IBTC is not just talking about women’s empowerment—it’s actively investing in it.

The event featured keynote sessions and interactive panels led by trailblazing speakers including Jumoke Bello, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank; Dr. Ada Eze, Economist and Advocate for Women in Business; and Olajumoke Bello, Head of Enterprise Business at Stanbic IBTC.

The event kicked off with the SME Entrepreneurship Summit in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan Atlantic University, where participants received practical training on how to structure and grow successful businesses. Certificates of Participation were awarded at the end of the session.

In addition, some participants opened new saving accounts , business and NGOs accounts. Others were given POS machines, phones with wallets and gifts

One of the standout features was the Ladies At The Table Empowerment Series (LATTES)—a high-impact panel featuring Dr. Ada Eze and other female business leaders who shared insights on economic empowerment, digital transformation, and leadership.

“I learned about the event on WhatsApp,” said Madam Zion Adebayo, a businesswoman from Abeokuta. “The free POS machine and training are wonderful, but the loan terms could be made more flexible.”

Mr. Friday Ibe, who attended to support his wife’s business, praised the hands-on sessions: “I’ve learned a lot about business planning and financial management. We need more of this kind of empowerment in our communities.”

At the Bloom Hub Marketplace, over 150 women-led brands showcased their products, creating an exciting space for discovery, networking, and direct sales. Attendees also benefitted from one-on-one financial consultations by Stanbic IBTC’s advisory teams, as well as wellness programmes and strategic masterclasses.

“This is more than an event,” said Olajumoke Bello. “We are building a vibrant ecosystem where women can access mentorship, funding, and real growth opportunities. We want every woman to know she can bloom beyond limits.”