By Adebola Muili
Fidelity Bank Plc has won two awards at the 2026 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, with its financing of major oil and gas projects earning it recognition as Best Bank in Oil and Gas Financing.
The bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, also received the Award for Excellence in Banking Leadership at the 14th edition of the awards held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to a statement by Fidelity Bank, the recognition for oil and gas financing reflects its support for projects across Nigeria’s energy value chain, including crude oil export infrastructure, petroleum product distribution and gas transportation.
Among the projects financed by the bank is the development of an onshore crude oil export terminal at the Otakikpo Marginal Field in Rivers State.
The bank also supported the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Terminal in Lekki, Lagos, and part-financed a 23,000-cubic-metre liquefied petroleum gas carrier for Temile Development Company Limited.
In addition, Fidelity Bank participated in the $3bn SNEPCo Contractor Finance Facility, which provides naira and dollar financing to indigenous contractors working on projects for Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company.
The projects are expected to strengthen local participation in the energy industry, improve petroleum product distribution and gas availability, and support the development of critical energy infrastructure.
Onyeali-Ikpe, while reacting to the awards, expressed appreciation to BusinessDay Media Limited, the organisers, and dedicated her leadership award to the bank’s customers, board, management and employees.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Award for Excellence in Banking Leadership. I sincerely thank BusinessDay Media Limited for this recognition and dedicate it to our valued customers, whose trust and support have strengthened and inspired me throughout my career,” she said.
She added that the award also recognised the collective efforts of the bank’s workforce in advancing its vision of a stronger and more innovative financial institution.
“The African philosophy of Ubuntu teaches us, ‘I am because we are.’ In that spirit, this honour also belongs to the board, management and staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, whose dedication and professionalism continue to drive our vision of a stronger, more innovative and customer-focused financial institution,” she said.
According to the statement, the leadership award recognises banking executives who have driven institutional growth, enhanced shareholder value, promoted innovation and financial inclusion, and contributed to the development of Nigeria’s financial services sector.
Onyeali-Ikpe has more than three decades of banking experience spanning retail, corporate and commercial banking, treasury and business development.
Under her leadership, Fidelity Bank has expanded its international operations, including the acquisition of the former Union Bank UK, now known as FidBank UK Limited.
The two awards recognise the bank’s leadership and financing activities in sectors considered important to Nigeria’s economic development.
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