Three outstanding Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have emerged as winners of a ₦3 million business grant at the Lagos Leather Fair 2025, reinforcing support for small businesses and local innovation. The initiative, sponsored by Wema Bank, is part of the bank’s continuous effort to foster the growth of MSMEs in Nigeria.
Each winner received ₦1 million after excelling in a competitive pitch session held at the fair. The grant recipients include:
- EwaOluwa Morenikeji, House of Ewa Limited
- Joy Fache James, Paciencia
- Fatima Yusuf, House of Zibima.
The initiative, which aligned with the celebration of World MSME Day, reflects Wema Bank’s broader mission to empower indigenous businesses, promote financial inclusion, and encourage sustainable practices in the MSME sector.
Speaking on the impact of the grant, EwaOluwa Morenikeji, CEO of House of Ewa, a local bag-making brand, shared:
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to put my business out there and get the support I need to scale. This will help my business grow, and I thank Wema Bank for thinking of small businesses like mine and supporting us.”
Also Read: FG Launches N50 Million Grant for Outstanding STEM Students in Nigerian Universities
Moruf Oseni, Managing Director and CEO of Wema Bank highlighted the bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and inclusive development:
“Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) present a two-fold opportunity for us at Wema Bank. Empowering MSMEs not only stimulates the Nigerian economy but also extends the reach of our impact to the grassroots.
For 80 years, we have been committed to empowering lives and businesses. We will continue to meet the needs of MSMEs and create tailored opportunities for them to thrive.”
Widely regarded as West Africa’s premier leather industry event, the Lagos Leather Fair brought together stakeholders from across the value chain, including local and international designers, manufacturers, and suppliers.
For the second consecutive year, Wema Bank participated as a major sponsor, using the platform to promote both innovation and excellence in local enterprises. The bank also showcased its premium banking product, Prestige by Wema, designed for high-net-worth individuals, while backing emerging entrepreneurs with financial support.
Established in 1945, Wema Bank has grown into one of Nigeria’s most committed supporters of the MSME ecosystem. Over the past five years, the bank has:
- Disbursed over ₦300 billion in loans and grants
- Empowered more than 800,000 MSMEs
- Provided market access to over 250,000 businesses across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and select global markets
Through targeted initiatives like this, Wema Bank continues to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity, enabling Nigerian businesses to grow, scale, and thrive in competitive markets.
