Keystone Bank Limited has launched the 2025 Employee Volunteering Scheme (EVS) Phase 1 project in Akure, Ondo State, in collaboration with the EGO Foundation. The initiative is aimed at equipping women with practical vocational skills to promote self-reliance and economic empowerment.
According to the bank, participants in the programme received training in baking, wig making, hair installation and styling, liquid soap and disinfectant production, as well as makeup and gele artistry. The week-long programme concluded with a graduation ceremony where participants were celebrated and presented with starter packs to help them apply their newly acquired skills immediately.
Speaking on the initiative, Izore Lami Bamawo, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Keystone Bank, said: “At Keystone Bank, we believe that true empowerment comes from equipping people with the right tools and opportunities to create lasting change in their lives. Through the EVS platform, all employees are directly involved in touching lives and building stronger communities.
“This year’s project in Akure is particularly special as it focuses on empowering young women to become self-sufficient through vocational training. As a bank, we are committed not only to providing financial services but also to creating meaningful impact in the lives of Nigerians.
“By focusing on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship, we are contributing to reducing unemployment, fostering innovation, and strengthening local economies. This project is a testament to our unwavering commitment to driving sustainable development across communities.”
The Employee Volunteering Scheme is one of Keystone Bank’s flagship corporate social responsibility programmes. Previous editions of the scheme have addressed key areas including education, healthcare, menstrual hygiene, and community development, working in partnership with state governments, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.
With the completion of the 2025 Phase 1 project in Akure, Keystone Bank and the EGO Foundation have reinforced their shared commitment to economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and inclusion. The bank stated that the success of the initiative highlights its role as a socially responsible financial institution working to reduce unemployment and support innovation within local communities.