The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has hosted its 2025 Service Ambassadors’ Awards ceremony, spotlighting the transformative role of its Partner Financial Institutions (PFIs) in advancing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the federation.

Themed “Enhancing Partnership for MSME Resilience and Growth,” the event served as a platform for recognition, appreciation, and renewed commitment to deepening sustainable economic impact.

In his keynote address, DBN’s Managing Director, Tony Okpanachi, praised the unwavering support of PFIs in fostering inclusive entrepreneurship, particularly among youth and women.

“You, our partners, are acknowledged and celebrated for your outreach to entrepreneurs, young people, and businesses seeking to scale up,” he said.

He explained that the awards go beyond celebration, as they are a clarion call to intensify innovation and impact-driven collaboration. Highlighting DBN’s performance in the past year, the Chief Operating Officer disclosed that the bank disbursed N273.4 billion in 2024 alone, raising its cumulative disbursement to over N1 trillion nationwide.