Wema Bank has awarded business grants totalling N3 million to the top three Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that emerged as winners in a business pitch competition at the Lagos Leather Fair 2025.

The winners, EwaOluwa Morenikeji of House of Ewa LTD, Joy Fache James of Paciencia, and Fatima Yusuf of House of Zibima, each received N1 million.

The grants are part of Wema Bank’s commitment to empowering Nigerian MSMEs and providing them with the necessary resources to thrive.

The bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, emphasised the importance of MSMEs in stimulating Nigeria’s economy and reiterated Wema Bank’s commitment to supporting the sector.

He said, “MSMEs present a two-fold opportunity for us at Wema Bank. With MSMEs constituting the bulk of the economy, empowering MSMEs not only translates to stimulating Nigeria’s economy, but even more importantly, it means extending the reach of our impact to the grassroots and providing support for the people to thrive both personally and professionally.”

The winners expressed gratitude to Wema Bank for the support, with Morenikeji stating that the grant will enable her to expand her business, acquire better machinery, and improve output.

“I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to put my business out there and get the support I need to scale. This will impact my business. I intend to use this money to expand my business, get better machinery and ensure that our output continues to get better and better.”

The Lagos Leather Fair, an annual showcase of Africa’s leather industry, brought together leather enthusiasts, manufacturers, and designers from around the world. Wema Bank sponsored the event for the second consecutive year, demonstrating its commitment to promoting African culture, creativity, and craftsmanship.

This initiative capped off Wema Bank’s celebration of World MSME Day, reinforcing the Bank’s position as a financial institution committed to supporting Nigerian MSMEs and empowering them with the resources, tools, and support they need to thrive, scale, and remain sustainably profitable.