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Tag: The Alternative Bank

  • The Alternative Bank trains senior editors on sustainability reporting  

    The Alternative Bank trains senior editors on sustainability reporting  

    The Alternative Bank has concluded a landmark capacity-building programme for 60 senior editors and media executives, aimed at strengthening sustainability reporting and reshaping Nigeria’s national discourse. 

    The two-day programme, held in Abuja as part of the 2025 National Sustainability Week, was themed “Storytelling for Good: Reporting Sustainability, Innovation & Nigeria’s Future” and focused on repositioning the media as a catalyst for national development rather than passive observers.

    The initiative comes at a time when Nigeria faces mounting economic and environmental pressures, alongside global narratives that often overlook the country’s development potential. 

    By equipping senior editors with the skills to better report sustainability, innovation and climate-related issues, The Alternative Bank said the programme seeks to address gaps in public discourse that can influence investment, policy engagement and long-term growth.

    Chairperson of the Sterling Sustainability Working Group, Bunmi Ajiboye, while presenting the Group’s sustainability priorities, outlined how responsible finance, environmental stewardship and social impact are being embedded into its operations. She urged media leaders to deepen accountability through informed reporting.

    “The real power of sustainability lies in accountability. When the media understands the substance behind the buzzwords, sustainability stops being marketing and starts becoming a measurable commitment,” Ajiboye noted. 

    “By sharing the inner workings of our Corporate Social Investments (CSIs), we are providing a blueprint for how corporate Nigeria can drive tangible change. We believe that when the media understands the ‘why’ behind these efforts, they are better equipped to advocate for the systemic shifts our country needs.”

    The training formed part of activities marking the 2025 National Sustainability Week, including a Sustainability Series Campaign, a National Secondary School Essay Competition and nationwide clean-up exercises. 

    Delivered in partnership with NatureNews and the Climate Africa Media Initiative & Centre (CAMIC), the programme covered climate and sustainability communication, storytelling for impact and financial sustainability in media management.

    Sessions were facilitated by experts drawn from Nigeria’s media and policy landscape, including Pius Alabi of NatureNews Africa and CAMIC, former Bauchi State Commissioner of Education Dr. Jamila Dahiru, veteran media executive Akogun Isiaq Ajibola, ICIR editor and FactCheckHub co-founder Victoria Bamas, and Aliu Akoshile, CEO of Almak Media Limited.

    Head of Corporate Social Investment at The Alternative Bank, Solomon Okonkwo, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to strengthening the media sector.

    “We are at a crossroads where innovation and climate urgency meet. By integrating modules on AI and financial sustainability into this curriculum, we are helping the Nigerian media future-proof its operations,” Okonkwo stated. 

    “Supporting this capacity-building program is about promoting an ecosystem where truth and science work together to highlight the sustainable development opportunities across our nation. We are proud to see these editors commit to a community that will keep sustainability at the forefront of the media agenda.”

    Participants at the programme have committed to ongoing collaboration through a closed sustainability media community, designed to ensure sustained engagement and keep sustainability and innovation reporting as a consistent priority in Nigeria’s media space.

  • AltBank charts new digital payment pathway for youths

    AltBank charts new digital payment pathway for youths

    The Alternative Bank, a leading Nigerian bank committed to sustainable financial services, recently joined industry stakeholders at the Jericho Businessmen Club’s (JBC) third Annual Socio-Economic Summit to chart a definitive path for empowering Nigeria’s burgeoning tech talent.

    The Summit centered on high-level discussions regarding sustainable economic models, with a particular focus on how the business community can actively bridge the digital skill gap among local youth.

    The event served as a critical platform to foster synergy between business leaders and the academic community, highlighting the urgent need for investment in capacity building to ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the global digital economy.

    The Alternative Bank emphasised that genuine nation-building must be anchored in human capital development, moving beyond conventional financing to provide ecosystem support, mentorship, and access to resources for young innovators.

    Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Executive Director (South) of The Alternative Bank, underlined the Bank’s philosophy, stating:

    “Technology is the most potent equaliser in modern commerce, and by investing in the technological upliftment of our youth, we are future-proofing our economy. We believe in providing alternatives not just in finance, but in opportunity, ensuring that local talent have the tools and environment to compete globally.”

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    Demola-Adeniyi also noted that the Bank will be exploring strategic partnerships identified during the summit to roll out bespoke non-interest financing schemes tailored specifically for tech entrepreneurship and vocational skill acquisition programs. The initiative aims to transform local innovation hubs into centres of excellence capable of producing world-class solutions.

    The Alternative Bank’s commitment aligns with Nigeria’s broader macroeconomic goals, as a robust technology sector is pivotal for diversifying Nigeria’s revenue base beyond oil. By empowering the tech community, the Bank will be fostering an ecosystem that attracts foreign direct investment, reduces youth unemployment, and stimulates the creation of high-value services. These efforts are essential for building a resilient economy capable of sustaining long-term growth and positioning Nigeria as the premier digital hub of Africa.

    The discussions and outcomes from the Jericho Business Summit reinforce The Alternative Bank’s mandate to drive inclusive economic growth and support sustainable, impact-driven projects that benefit the wider community.

  • Alternative Bank inaugurates water project for Ramadan

    Alternative Bank inaugurates water project for Ramadan

    In a ground-breaking effort to combat water scarcity and elevate the standard of living for underserved communities, The Alternative Bank has announced the launch of the Quench Project.

    Timed to coincide with the month of Ramadan, this initiative is set to revolutionize access to potable water by funding and constructing boreholes, ensuring communities have clean and safe water for drinking, sanitation, and agricultural activities.

    Hassan Yusuf, Managing Director of The Alternative Bank, said, “Water is the essence of life, a basic human right that remains out of reach for countless people, especially women and children.

    The Quench Project stands as our commitment to changing this harsh reality, with our efforts beginning this Ramadan.”

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    Recognizing the dire consequences of water scarcity on health, education, and economic prospects, the Quench Project transcends mere advocacy, embodying a steadfast commitment to nurturing life and prosperity in the regions most afflicted. In an unprecedented move, The Alternative Bank will match each donation received, magnifying the impact of the collective generosity of donors.

    Speaking further on this, Medinat Kareem, Quench Project Coordinator at The Alternative Bank, said, “The ethos of Ramadan is significant to the impact this initiative would achieve, which is hinged on the desire to create meaningful and enduring change for the people in our communities.”

    Beneficiary communities would be nominated and identified through a comprehensive assessment process based on an existing waitlist of communities that have expressed a critical need for water resources. These communities are then meticulously evaluated and selected based on the immediacy of their needs.

    At its core, the Quench Project is a manifestation of the values of generosity, empathy, and communal support that Ramadan epitomizes. It is an invitation to all, regardless of background, to unite in a common purpose, to alleviate thirst, and to forge a future where the availability of clean water is not a privilege but a universal right.