ASHA Microfinance Bank has concluded a three-day bursary and client empowerment programme across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, aimed at strengthening financial inclusion and promoting sustainable community development.
In a statement on Wednesday, ASHA Microfinance Bank said the initiative formed part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and was designed to support education while empowering small business owners within its operating communities.
The programme commenced at Ikotun Market in Lagos, continued in Sango Ota, Ogun, and concluded in Ibadan, Oyo, bringing together students, traders and long-standing customers of the bank.
As part of the initiative, 100 students were awarded bursaries. According to the bank, the beneficiaries were outstanding children of ASHA Microfinance Bank clients selected from its various branches. The bursaries are intended to reduce the financial pressure of education on families, while also encouraging academic excellence among young learners in the communities served by the bank.
In addition, 150 clients received eco-friendly deep freezers under the bank’s client reward and business support scheme. The intervention targets traders and small business owners, especially those operating in the food and retail sectors, with the aim of improving product preservation, reducing waste and supporting environmentally responsible business practices.
Speaking at the Lagos event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASHA Microfinance Bank, Mrs Funmi Oladoyinbo, said the initiative reflects the institution’s broader view of financial inclusion. “At ASHA Microfinance Bank, we believe that true financial inclusion goes beyond access to finance. By investing in education and empowering entrepreneurs, we are strengthening families, supporting businesses, and contributing to long-term economic growth within our communities,” she said.
Some beneficiaries also expressed appreciation for the support received. A customer of the bank’s Shaki branch in Oyo State, Mrs Odumayo Demola, said, “I am super excited. The freezer is truly God’s answer to my prayers. I had been looking for money to buy one, and this support came at the right time.”
Similarly, Mrs Basit Oyetola, a long-term customer from Sango Ota, Ogun State, said, “I have been an ASHA customer for 13 years. With the bank’s support, I built my house and paid my children’s school fees. The institution has played a major role in my growth.”
The bank reiterated that its CSR programmes are strategically designed to address real community needs while strengthening trust and long-term relationships with clients. It added that such interventions remain central to its operations, positioning ASHA as both a financial services provider and a driver of positive social and economic impact across Nigeria.
