Fidelity Bank Shareholders Praise Board Over Strong 2025 Results, N532 Billion Capital Base

Shareholders of Fidelity Bank Plc have commended the Board and Management of the bank for strengthening its capital base, improving asset quality and sustaining earnings growth despite a tough operating environment.

The commendation was given at the bank’s 38th Annual General Meeting held virtually on Friday, October 9, 2026.

At the meeting, Bisi Bakare, National Coordinator of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, said the bank’s key financial indicators show resilience. He pointed to the non-performing loan ratio of 2.4 percent and capital adequacy ratio of about 16.1 percent.

According to him, the figures show the bank remains strong with a customer base of 16 million and a solid capital position that gives shareholders confidence.

Also speaking, Boniface Okezie, Chairman of the Progressive Shareholders Association, praised the bank’s leadership for completing its capital raise and positioning the bank above the new regulatory threshold set by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He said the successful capital raising exercise gives shareholders greater confidence in the future of the bank and its ability to deliver sustainable value.

Fidelity Bank completed a N227.05 billion private placement in December 2025, which increased its eligible capital from N305.5 billion to N532.6 billion. With this, the bank is now above the N500 billion minimum capital requirement for banks with international authorization.

In her remarks, Board Chairman Mrs Amaka Onwughalu said Fidelity Bank remains focused on building a stronger and more sustainable institution.

She said the bank is building for the long term by creating lasting value through trust, innovation and shared progress and is positioning to thrive through change and deliver impact for generations.

The bank’s audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025 showed strong growth. Gross earnings increased by 45.6 percent to N1.52 trillion from N1.04 trillion in 2024. Profit before tax stood at N347.7 billion while profit after tax closed at N242.4 billion.

The bank also improved key risk and balance sheet indicators. Non-performing loan ratio improved to 2.4 percent from 3.1 percent, coverage ratio rose to 203.9 percent from 138.4 percent and liquidity ratio stood at 66.5 percent, above the regulatory minimum of 30 percent. Total equity grew to N1.09 trillion from N897.9 billion.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe said the bank’s strategy is centered on building a resilient institution, deepening customer relationships and creating sustainable value for all stakeholders.

She said the focus remains on making financial services easy and accessible to customers while building a stronger institution for shareholders, employees and communities.

The External Auditors Deloitte and Touche issued an unmodified opinion on the bank’s accounts, stating that the consolidated and separate financial statements fairly presented its financial position and performance in accordance with applicable standards and Nigerian laws.

During the AGM, shareholders received the audited financial statements and reports of the Directors, External Auditors, Statutory Audit Committee and Independent Board Appraisal Consultants for 2025.

Shareholders also approved the election of Dr Jonathan Ososuakpor as Non-Executive Director and the re-election of Mrs Amaka Onwughalu as Non-Executive Director. The meeting noted the retirement by rotation of Chief Nelson Nweke as Non-Executive Director.

Other business included authorising Directors to fix the remuneration of External Auditors for 2026, disclosure of managers remuneration and election of Statutory Audit Committee members.

Shareholders urged the Board and Management to sustain momentum, deepen market competitiveness and continue to improve returns to investors.

Fidelity Bank Plc is ranked among the best banks in Nigeria and serves over 10 million customers through digital channels, 255 business offices in Nigeria and its UK subsidiary FidBank UK Limited.

The bank has won several awards including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria Innovation Award for MSME support, Best Retail and SME Bank by Independent Newspapers, Best Bank for Export and Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay BAFI Awards and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards.