Business
Wema Bank’s Digital Bank, ALAT, Emerges Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank @ Euromoney Awards 2025
Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, expressed appreciation to the Euromoney Awards for recognising the Bank’s impact on the proliferation of digital innovation in Africa, reiterating the Bank’s commitment to its sustainability vision of developing digital solutions for societal impact.

In recognition of its position as a digital pioneer in the African banking landscape, Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, a trailblazing digital platform pioneered by Nigeria’s oldest indigenous and most innovative bank, Wema Bank, has been awarded Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards 2025.
Euromoney is a leading provider of competitive intelligence and benchmarking insight for the global banking and finance industry, trusted for over 50 years to deliver data-led analysis that informs strategy, validates performance, and supports decision-making at the executive level.
The Euromoney Awards, pioneered by Euromoney, are regarded as the ultimate accolade in banking; the industry-leading stamp of approval that banks across the globe work yearlong to achieve.
Recognised as Nigeria’s leading financial institution in digital innovation, Wema Bank’s revolutionary digital bank, ALAT, was awarded Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards 2025 held at The Peninsula London Hotel in London on Thursday, 17th July, 2025.
Since its launch on May 2nd 2017, ALAT has bridged the gaps in delivery of financial services to Nigerians within Nigeria and globally, evolving remarkably into a holistic hub of lifestyle and financial solutions for Nigerian adults of all ages and from all walks of life.
From simply being the first fully digital bank in Africa, ALAT has evolved remarkably into a digital platform with an ecosystem of dynamic financial solutions tailored to provide seamless, reliable, and convenient service for all.
With ALAT, basic financial services like transfers, airtime & data purchases, bill payments and loans are placed at the fingertips of users, in addition to a wide range of advanced financial services and solutions that merge banking with lifestyle.
From in-app local and international flight bookings to tailored personal and group savings options, investments and stocks, movie and event tickets, deals and discounts on a limitless pool of products and services, 24/7 health consultation, and a suite of customised loan options for salary earners and non-salary earners; ALAT changed the game, redefining banking and financial services in a world where digital has become the future.
In view of ALAT’s groundbreaking role in blazing the trail for FinTechs in Africa and its intentionally-curated wealth of features and offerings designed to meet the needs of Nigerians in Nigeria and the diaspora, it is evident that the Bank is undeniably deserving of the recognition and accolade.
Underscoring Wema Bank’s commitment in shaping the future of banking through impactful innovations like ALAT.
Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, expressed appreciation to the Euromoney Awards for recognising the Bank’s impact on the proliferation of digital innovation in Africa, reiterating the Bank’s commitment to its sustainability vision of developing digital solutions for societal impact.
Receiving the award, Oseni said that the world is moving fast and so is the permeation of ‘digital’ into the most critical aspects of our lives.
Eighty years ago when Wema Bank was established, typewriters were the extent of banking technology.
Today, we have pioneered a fully digital bank, and possess technology advanced enough to power over 150 FinTechs.
In ten years, one can only imagine what this fast-paced digital economy will bring.
One thing is clear, any business, venture or institution that will remain relevant by the end of the next decade, must leverage digital technology today.
This is why Wema Bank is so driven when it comes to digital. Innovation and empowerment”.
“As a Bank, our stance is clear. Wema Bank will never relent in empowering lives through innovation and developing digital solutions for societal impact.
We will continue to pioneer innovation, empower innovators and bridge the gap between traditional and digital, leveraging the opportunities of the digital world to generate meaningful impact on lives and businesses in Nigeria, Africa and across the world.
We have remained resilient in this commitment since 1945 and this award tells us that the world is feeling our impact.
We are honoured by this recognition, and I take this opportunity to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Euromoney Awards.
We take this as a challenge to keep up the good work, go harder, and continue going above and beyond in shaping the future of banking through digital innovation.
Here’s to 80 years of impact and a future of limitless possibilities with Wema Bank”. Oseni concluded.
Wema Bank continues to raise the bar in financial services, placing Nigeria on the global map for banking and digital innovation.
Since 1945, the Bank has spearheaded a positive transformation in Africa’s banking and financial landscape, proving that Nigerian-owned businesses have the capacity to last and stand the test of time.
As the Bank celebrated its 80th anniversary on May 2nd 2025, its futuristic digital platform, ALAT simultaneously clocked 8, marking 8 years of digital transformation.
The world continues to watch in anticipation as Wema Bank leads the movement in digital innovation, shaping the future of banking in Africa.
Business
Afriland Fire: United Capital Confirms Death of Six Staff, Death Toll Rises to 10

Financial services firm, United Capital Plc, has confirmed the death of six of its employees in the tragic fire that engulfed Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
This announcement brings the official death toll to ten, following an earlier confirmation by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that four of its staff also died in the incident.

The fire, which broke out just before 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, tore through the six-storey commercial building, housing several offices and businesses, leaving widespread devastation and loss in its wake.
In an official statement released on Thursday, United Capital expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its staff.
“It is with profound grief that the Management and Staff of United Capital Plc announce the passing of six of our dear colleagues, following the tragic fire at Afriland Towers,” the statement read.
“Our departed colleagues were an integral part of our company and family. Their painful loss leaves an immeasurable void.”
The company extended its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased, assuring them of continued support during this difficult time. Plans are underway for a memorial service to honour the victims.
United Capital also expressed appreciation to emergency responders for their swift intervention during the incident.
“In this moment of untold grief, we stand together in solidarity, drawing strength from one another as we navigate this period. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the cause of the fire.
Business
Elumelu Abruptly Ends UNGA Visit Following Afriland Tower Fire

The Chairman of Afriland Properties Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has abruptly ended his trip to New York for the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) following a devastating fire at Afriland Towers in Lagos that claimed the lives of several staff members.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Elumelu expressed profound sorrow over the incident, describing the loss as heartbreaking for the Afriland family.
He wrote, “I am shattered by yesterday’s devastating incident at Afriland Towers, that took the lives of our dear colleagues. No words can capture the magnitude of this loss – not for their families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them, and not for those of us who worked beside them.”
Elumelu revealed that he was en route to New York when he received news of the tragedy, prompting his immediate return to Lagos as a mark of respect to the departed staff.
“As we navigate this grief, I urge you all to reach out to those who are receiving care. In the coming days, we will convene colleagues in a memorial to honour the memories of the departed, as we provide support to their families,” he added.
He also thanked emergency responders, first aid workers, and members of the public for their swift and compassionate response to the disaster.
To honour the victims, a minute of silence will be observed at 12:00 noon on Wednesday across all companies within the Tony Elumelu Group.
Business
CBN Mandates Banks to Announce Successor MD Three Months Ahead
The CBN warned that leadership uncertainty at large banks could destabilise the entire financial sector and damage the wider economy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a new directive mandating all Domestic Systemically Important Banks (DSIBs) to publicly announce the appointment of a new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) at least three months before the scheduled exit of the incumbent.
In a circular signed by Dr Rita Sike, Director of Financial Policy and Regulation, and published on the CBN’s website, the bank stated that the new rules apply to Domestic Systemically Important Banks (DSIBs) – the largest lenders that are considered “too big to fail” because of their size and importance to Nigeria’s financial system.“
Consequently, and in line with good corporate governance practice, each DSIB is hereby required to: ensure it obtains regulatory approval for the appointment of a successor Managing Director not later than six months to the expiration of the tenor of the incumbent MD/CEO,” the circular stated.
Banks must also “publicly announce the appointment of the successor MD/CEO not later than three months to the planned exit of the incumbent MD/CEO.”
Whilst stating that the move is part of broader efforts to strengthen corporate governance and maintain confidence in the financial system, the CBN warned that leadership uncertainty at large banks could destabilise the entire financial sector and damage the wider economy.
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