CITIZENS COMPASS— Fidelity Bank Plc strengthened its position as a leading supporter of the Nigerian beauty industry and women owned businesses through its sponsorship and participation in the business focused sessions at Beauty in the Motherland 2026.
Held from October 5 to October 7 at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the three-day programme brought together entrepreneurs, established brands, investors, retailers, creatives and other stakeholders from across the beauty value chain.
More than 300 exhibitors participated in the event, while attendance was estimated at over 3,000. Businesses operating in skincare, haircare, fragrances, cosmetics, wellness and related segments showcased their products, engaged prospective customers and explored commercial opportunities.
The panel sessions examined some of the most important issues affecting the expansion of beauty businesses across Africa. Discussions covered consumer behaviour, retail strategy, access to finance, cash flow management, digital commerce, logistics, regional expansion and long term market access.
One of the sessions, Beauty Retail as a Science on Consumer Behaviour, What Is Working Today in Africa, examined the role of data, consumer psychology and retail strategy in building successful beauty businesses across African markets.
The panel featured Ife Bakare of Medplus Pharmacy; Chinedu Okoye, founder of PerfecTrust Cosmetics,the founder of Beauty Hut Africa; and media personality and content creator, Tomike Adeoye.
The speakers examined changing customer preferences and the strategies beauty brands can adopt to improve their retail performance. They also offered perspectives on how businesses can use consumer insights to strengthen product positioning and respond more effectively to market demand.
Another session, Positioning in the Beauty Industry for the Next Phase of Growth, focused on the opportunities available to business owners seeking regional expansion, stronger commercial partnerships and sustainable access to new markets.
Moderated by Samuel Joseph, the session featured Olamide Olowe, founder of Topicals; Kehinde Smith; Valerie Obaze; and Joycee Awosika, founder of ORIKI Group.
The panellists discussed business positioning, commercial networks and the strategic decisions required to prepare emerging beauty brands for their next phase of growth. The conversation also highlighted the value of partnerships and access to wider markets in building competitive African businesses.
The Founders Blueprint, Overcoming Logistics and Launching Digital Brands, brought together founders of growing beauty businesses to examine the use of digital platforms in overcoming local supply chain challenges and developing successful cosmetic brands.
The panel featured Aniya Benjamin, founder of Body Secrets Africa Group; Favour Braids, founder of FBH Cosmetics; Esa Uzo, founder of Estab; and Omabalaji Mogaji.
Drawing from their business experiences, the speakers discussed the operational demands of developing digital brands, managing logistics and navigating complex supply chains. The session gave participating entrepreneurs practical perspectives on building resilient businesses in a rapidly changing commercial environment.
Access to finance also featured prominently in the programme. During a session on capital, cash flow and financial scaling for beauty brands, the Regional Bank Head, Ikoyi, Chetachi Okechukwu, and the Divisional Head, SME Banking, Ugochi Osinigwe (both of Fidelity Bank Plc), shared practical guidance on how entrepreneurs could strengthen their financial readiness and position their businesses for funding.
The session addressed the importance of proper business records, effective cash flow management, sound financial planning and clear growth strategies. It also provided participants with insights into building enterprises capable of attracting finance and expanding sustainably.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, participated in a fireside conversation on business growth, empowerment and emerging opportunities in the beauty industry.
She highlighted the importance of access to finance, capacity development, digital payment solutions, sound financial management and entry into new markets. She said Fidelity Bank remained committed to helping entrepreneurs translate promising ideas into sustainable businesses.
According to Onyeali-Ikpe, the sponsorship of Beauty in the Motherland for a third consecutive year reflected the confidence of the Bank in the potential of the beauty industry and the people shaping its future.
The educational programme complemented the exhibitions, product showcases, business pitch competition, nail art competition and networking activities organised during the event. Together, the sessions gave participants practical knowledge, greater industry visibility and opportunities to build valuable commercial relationships.
Fidelity Bank also supported participating businesses with payment, account opening and advisory services. As the exclusive point of sale provider, the Bank facilitated collections for vendors and promoted the adoption of digital payment solutions across the exhibition.
Its presence included the promotion of Fidelity POS Instant Settlement, PayGate Plus and SME accounts. Representatives of the Bank also engaged business owners on financial management, suitable banking solutions and opportunities for sustainable growth.
Through the Fidelity SME Hub, Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum, SME masterclasses, HerFidelity and FundHer, the Bank provides entrepreneurs with financing, business advisory, capacity development, digital solutions and market access opportunities.
Beauty in the Motherland 2026 ended with increased visibility for African beauty brands, stronger commercial connections and valuable business insights for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their operations.
The prominence of the panel sessions demonstrated that sustainable growth in the beauty industry requires creativity, quality products, sound financial structures, digital capability, resilient supply chains and access to wider markets.
By combining sponsorship with financial education, advisory support, payment solutions and market access opportunities, Fidelity Bank reinforced its position as a leading financial partner to the Nigerian beauty industry and women owned businesses.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international awards, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award for MSME support; Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers; Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards. The Bank also received the inaugural Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year award by Nairametrics, the SME Bank of the Year award by NewsDirect, and the Straight-Through Processing (STP) Excellence Award by Citi Group, in addition to recognition by Global Brands Magazine for Excellence in Community Empowerment.
