12-Year-Old Chiderije Mbah Takes the Helm as Wema Bank’s One-Day MD/CEO in Celebration of Children’s Day
In a heartwarming celebration of Children’s Day, Wema Bank PLC named 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah as its One-Day Managing Director/CEO, marking the highlight of a nationwide initiative aimed at empowering and inspiring the next generation of Nigerian leaders.
Chiderije was welcomed with a purple-carpet reception at the bank’s Lagos Headquarters on Tuesday, where he assumed leadership for the day, engaging in a series of executive activities that included a guided office tour, leadership briefings, and an executive boardroom session with senior management.
The One-Day MD/CEO campaign was part of Wema Bank’s broader Children’s Day celebration, designed to blend fun with purpose while promoting early financial education.
Chiderije’s winning video showcased his dream of leading a bank and making finance fun and accessible for kids. His submission stood out among dozens in the nationwide online challenge, earning him the chance to lead one of Nigeria’s most innovative financial institutions for a day.
“This is the best day of my life,” said an elated Chiderije during his time in the spotlight. “Wema Bank made me feel important. I’m learning so much about being a leader and how banking works. I’ll tell all my friends to open a Royal Kiddies Account so they can start learning how to save — and maybe one day, they can be MD too!”
The initiative aligns with Wema Bank’s long-standing commitment to youth development and innovation. To participate, children across Nigeria were invited to post a short video dressed in Wema colours, sharing the banking role they aspired to, while also holding or opening either a Royal Kiddies Account (for ages 0–12) or an ALAT Xplore Wallet (for teens aged 13–17). Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the bank continues to lead with forward-thinking programs like this, which aim to build a financially savvy future generation.
Speaking on the initiative, Wema Bank MD/CEO Moruf Oseni noted: “Our 80th anniversary is a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going, knowing fully well that the future belongs to young stars like Chiderije. Today’s activity is one of our ways of showing that we believe in the children, that we’re listening, and that we’re committed to helping them succeed financially, personally, and professionally.”
As Wema Bank celebrates eight decades of legacy, the success of this year’s Children’s Day event reinforces its vision of building not just a stronger bank, but a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth.