L-R: District Head, Kyangakwai, Alhaji Suleiman Musa; Former Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Mr Isma’ila Abdulmumuni Kamba; District Head, Kamba (Sarkin Shikon Kamba), Mamuda Zarummai; Council Secretary, Dandi Local Government, Kebbi State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammad; and Regional Bank Head, North-West Zone 2, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Muhammad Lawal-Ahijo; at the official commissioning of the new Fidelity Bank Plc branch in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area, Kebbi State recently
Abayomi Susan
Residents of Kamba in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State have welcomed the opening of a new Fidelity Bank Plc branch, describing it as a significant milestone that will help address long-standing financial and logistical challenges faced by farmers, small-scale traders, and other members of the community.
The Chairman of Dandi Local Government Council, Dr. Mansur Isah-Kamba, described the establishment of the new branch as a welcome development after years of limited access to formal banking services in the area. Represented by the Council Secretary, Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammad, the chairman noted that residents — including more than 83 traditional rulers on the local government payroll — previously had to travel long distances to Birnin Kebbi to carry out routine banking transactions.
He explained that the presence of the bank within the community would significantly reduce the stress, cost and time associated with travelling outside the locality for financial services.
“With the opening of this branch in our community, the stress, cost and time involved in travelling outside the area for banking transactions will be greatly reduced,” he said, while commending Fidelity Bank for its foresight and commitment to supporting farmers and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
Also speaking, the Sarkin Shikon of Kamba, Alhaji Mahmoud Zarumai-Fana, described agriculture as the dominant occupation in the community and expressed optimism that improved access to financial services would boost commercial activities.
“Our people are predominantly farmers. Access to financial services will help improve their productivity and livelihoods. Farmers require support such as pumping machines, fertilisers and pesticides, and proximity to banking services will make it easier for them to save, access loans and benefit from agricultural intervention programmes,” he said.
Speaking during the official inauguration ceremony, the Regional Bank Head, North-West Region, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Muhammad Lawal-Ahijo, reiterated the bank’s commitment to expanding financial access and supporting economic growth across Nigeria.
“Our decision to establish this branch is driven by our belief that every community deserves access to reliable financial services that enable individuals to grow, businesses to thrive and local economies to prosper. Kamba is a vibrant agricultural community, and opening a branch here represents a strategic investment in the future of its farmers, traders and households. While the infrastructure belongs to the bank, this branch is for the community, and we encourage residents to take full ownership by utilising the services available,” Lawal-Ahijo said.
He further highlighted the bank’s dedication to empowering informal sector workers and SMEs, noting that the institution remains committed to bringing banking services closer to the people.
“Our goal is to support farmers, SMEs and households with accessible financial solutions that promote sustainable growth and economic empowerment,” he added.
In his remarks, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman-Fana, a member of the Kebbi State House of Assembly representing Dandi Constituency, described the new branch as a major step toward strengthening financial inclusion in rural communities.
“This is a significant milestone for our constituency. Financial inclusion plays a critical role in rural development, and farmers, traders and youths should take advantage of this opportunity to grow their businesses and improve their economic well-being,” he said.
Residents also expressed optimism about the positive impact the new branch would have on their daily lives. A petty trader, Mrs. Hassana Abubakar, noted that she previously had to shut down her shop whenever she travelled to Birnin Kebbi for banking transactions.
“Now I can carry out my banking here without losing an entire day’s business. This will certainly help my shop grow,” she said.
The opening of the Fidelity Bank branch in Kamba underscores the bank’s ongoing commitment to advancing financial inclusion, supporting rural economies and empowering farmers and small businesses across Nigeria.
Ranked among Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-service Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving more than 10 million customers through its digital banking platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award at the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application Award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook; and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider Award by Global Brands Magazine.
In addition, Fidelity Bank was named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and Export Financing Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay BAFI Awards.
