First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has partnered with Tender Hearts Foundation to launch a food bank and business empowerment initiative aimed at tackling hunger, poverty and women’s economic vulnerability across Nigeria.
The programme, organised by Tender Hearts Foundation with strategic support from FCMB, combines food assistance with business grants and access to financial services, targeting women who run micro-enterprises. Organisers say the approach is designed to provide immediate relief while supporting long-term financial independence.
Speaking at the launch, the founder of Tender Hearts Foundation, Dr Sally Otihiwa, said the initiative was deliberately structured to move beyond charity and focus on sustainable livelihoods.
“This is a business grant for women who already have micro businesses, to increase the capacity of what they are doing,” she said. “We are not just giving food; we are empowering them to stand on their feet and continue to put food on their table.”
Otihiwa said the food bank initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 on zero hunger, while also addressing poverty through skills development, access to capital and business support. She noted that while food assistance meets urgent needs, economic empowerment is critical to long-term impact.
The foundation initially planned to support 350 women, but participation exceeded expectations due to the scale of need in the communities reached. Beneficiaries receive business grants ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦300,000, with the opportunity to access higher funding as they demonstrate repayment capacity.
According to Otihiwa, women who successfully repay their initial grants are referred to microfinance banks, where they can access loans of between ₦400,000 and ₦3 million, depending on their business performance.
“So long as they can pay back, they continue to grow,” she said. “At a point, we refer them to the banks so they can access bigger funding and expand their businesses.”
She added that the initiative is being implemented in multiple locations across the country, reflecting the widespread nature of food insecurity and poverty.
“The percentage of people who are comfortable enough to eat well is very minimal,” Otihiwa said. “Many people do not even have the basic right to food. With the little we are doing, we ensure they have food on their table and also empower them to continue providing for themselves.”
Representing FCMB, Iyanda Omoniyi, who oversees the bank’s social responsibility and sustainability reporting, said the partnership reflects FCMB’s focus on poverty alleviation, empowerment and inclusive growth.
“At FCMB, we run our corporate social responsibility agenda through the lens of poverty alleviation, empowerment and environmental sustainability,” Omoniyi said. “We are here to support households and empower women because once you empower a woman, you are multiplying the nation.”
He said the food bank initiative is open to both FCMB customers and members of the public who do not yet bank with the institution, while also serving as a pathway to formal financial services for women-owned businesses.
“We are a bank that cares about the needs of the people,” he said. “That is why we create strategic programmes that speak directly to the real needs of communities.”
Omoniyi added that the partnership aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on poverty reduction and gender equality, and underscores the role of collaboration between the private sector and civil society.
