Wema Bank Appoints 10-Year-Old As One-Day MD/CEO Winner

According to Ireporter Online, as part of its 2026 Children’s Day celebration, Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous national bank, has announced 10-year-old Chinmamanda Diamond Ozoakpata as the winner of its One-Day MD/CEO initiative. The programme, which was introduced in 2025, is designed to inspire Nigerian children by giving them a unique opportunity to step into leadership roles within the bank and gain practical insight into corporate responsibility and career ambition.

The initiative, now in its second edition, previously saw 12-year-old Chiderije Mbah serve as the first-ever One-Day MD/CEO. This year’s winner, Chinmamanda Diamond Ozoakpata, who serves as Head Girl at Redeemers Foundation Nursery and Primary School, made history as the first female recipient of the role after her one-minute video submission reportedly attracted over 50,000 views.

During the symbolic handover ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, explained that the initiative was created to inspire children and reinforce the belief that they can achieve their dreams. He noted that the programme continues to provide a platform for young Nigerians to experience leadership at one of the country’s longest-standing financial institutions.

In her acceptance remarks, Chinmamanda expressed appreciation to the bank for the opportunity, describing it as a significant honour. She commended Wema Bank for its commitment to supporting children’s development and promoting financial literacy among young customers, adding that she was proud to represent the institution for the day.

As part of her symbolic actions in office, the young MD/CEO approved several youth-focused initiatives, including birthday cash rewards for children aged 5 and 10, financial incentives for top performers in the National Common Entrance Examination, and the introduction of an Evolve school tour STEM challenge targeted at children and teenagers. The initiatives are expected to benefit active customers with the bank’s Royal Kiddies Accounts.

The Children’s Day celebration also featured a grand event at the bank’s head office, where cash rewards were presented to selected children. The bank additionally launched its “Money Adventures” financial literacy book aimed at children aged six and above, reinforcing its commitment to early financial education.