Wema Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s inclusion and empowerment as it announced plans to host its 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) Grand Event on March 4, 2026.
The bank said the event, scheduled ahead of the global commemoration of International Women’s Day, will be inspired by the 2026 global theme, “Give To Gain,” and held under the sub-theme, “When Women Gain, We Grow.” According to the institution, the focus will be on strengthening support systems for women and amplifying the impact of sustained gender inclusion efforts.
Moruf Oseni, managing director/CEO, Wema Bank, speaking on the planned event, said the bank prioritises gender inclusion through deliberate policies and targeted initiatives.
“Empowering women is central to building a thriving society,” Oseni said, noting that the bank’s women-focused proposition, SARA by Wema, launched in 2019, reflects its long-standing commitment to promoting gender equality in alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5).
Oseni described the 2026 IWD theme as significant to the bank’s corporate philosophy, stating that years of investment in women have demonstrated the transformative potential women hold across personal and professional spheres. He explained that this year’s gathering is designed not only to celebrate achievements but also to encourage individuals and institutions to adopt practical and measurable support for women.
The 2026 IWD Grand Event is expected to convene women from diverse sectors and industries, including emerging leaders and professionals navigating evolving socio-economic challenges. The bank said the forum will provide a platform for networking, knowledge exchange and access to opportunities, while facilitating dialogue on shared and varied experiences.
Among the highlights of the event is the SARA Gives to Empower Her Award, which will provide grants to women who have made measurable impacts in supporting other women. The employee-focused He For She Award will recognise male employees who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing women beyond financial contributions. Additionally, the Wema Knight Gives initiative will see staff members undertake outreach programmes designed to benefit women across communities in Nigeria.
The event will also feature the launch of the Wema Bank Girl Child Journal, a reflective publication compiling insights and guidance for the girl-child from 80 contributors across various professional fields.
The 2026 IWD Grand Event forms part of Weman Bank’s broader institutional strategy to build a culture that goes beyond symbolic celebration, embedding structured support for women’s advancement across its operations and stakeholder engagements.
