Nigeria’s top banking executives presented critical relief materials to Mohammed Umaru Bago, governor of Niger state, in Abuja on saturday, in a show of industry-wide solidarity with victims of recent flooding in Mokwa Local Government Area.
The coordinated donation, valued in millions of naira, signals the banking sector’s continued commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) as an anchor of financial system resilience.
Led by Oliver Alawuba, chairman of the Body of Bank CEOs and Group Managing Director of UBA Plc, the delegation handed over bags of rice, beverages, vegetable oil, and mattresses intended to ease the suffering of flood-affected families and demonstrate the financial industry’s role in disaster response.
“As custodians of trust and key drivers of economic growth, we understand the intrinsic link between the well-being of communities and stability of the financial system,” Alawuba said during the presentation.
Read also: The Mokwa flood: When nature went angry
The relief materials were received by governor Bago at the Niger state government house in Abuja, in the presence of senior state officials, several banking CEOs and media representatives.
The donation followed catastrophic floods in Mokwa and surrounding areas, which displaced thousands, damaged homes, and left communities in urgent need of support.
Alawuba acknowledged the delay in response but reassured stakeholders of the industry’s commitment to long-term recovery efforts.
“This donation is just the beginning; we pledge continued collaboration with the Niger state government to ensure long-term recovery and resilience,” he said.
He acknowledged, however, that recent flooding incidents are a consequence of global climate change and expressed hope that valuable lessons have been learned—particularly the need to discourage construction along floodplains.
Other executives present included Adaora Umeoji, Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director; Hassan Imam, Keystone Bank’s MD/CEO; Hamid Joda, TajBank’s MD; and Akin Morakinyo, Registrar/CEO of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
In his remarks, governor Bago expressed appreciation for the banking industry’s timely intervention and urged continued collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“This gesture reinforces the critical role of private-sector partnerships in disaster response,” Bago said.
“We are grateful for this support and look forward to deeper collaboration in safeguarding our communities against future challenges. On behalf of the good people of Niger State, particularly the affected families in Mokwa, I extend our sincerest thanks for this timely and compassionate intervention.”
He added that the recent floods brought immense hardship to the region, displacing families, destroying livelihoods, and disrupting communities.
Read also: Mokwa floods: Residents recount losses as UNICEF, govt offer funds, relief materials to victims
He, however, observed that the recent flooding was largely preventable, emphasising that the excess water from the overflowing dams could have been harnessed for productive uses such as irrigation and consumption. He urged banks and private sector players to view such water management initiatives as viable investment opportunities.
The banking sector, under Alawuba’s leadership, “has demonstrated that beyond financial stewardship, they are true partners in national development and humanitarian service.”
While CSR programs have long been part of Nigerian banks’ operational playbooks, this collective effort marks a notable scale and visibility in joint action. For the Body of Bank CEOs, the intervention is also a reputational investment, reinforcing the image of the banking sector as not only a custodian of capital but also a pillar of social resilience.
“This donation is not just about the physical items,” Bago said. “It is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the unwavering support of Nigeria’s financial institutions in times of need. It reassures our people that they are not forgotten.”
