How Zenith Bank Is Championing Inclusion, Community Support

From accessible banking products to targeted outreach in less-privileged communities, Zenith Bank is deepening inclusion for Persons Living With Disabilities. Omolabake Fasogbon writes that through financial literacy, assistive service channels, and community support initiatives, the bank is demonstrating that inclusion is more than sustainable nation-building with lasting benefits for all stakeholders

In an era when banking is increasingly defined by scale and competition, the real measure of impact is shifting to something deeper: who gets included — and who is still left out.

That is why each year, the International Day of Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) serves as a reminder that true development is measured not only by economic indicators but also by how societies treat their most vulnerable members.

Access to financial services enables PLWDs to expand consumption, develop resilience to disruptive shocks, manage risks and invest in durable goods, health, and education.

In marking the 2025 edition, Zenith Bank moved the conversation beyond corporate symbolism to practical inclusion, focusing on empowerment, accessibility, and dignity for people living with disabilities.

Through a mix of community-driven initiatives, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, the bank is spotlighting the everyday barriers that many Nigerians with disabilities face which include limited access to education and healthcare, financial exclusion, and employment gaps, amongst others.

Rather than treating disability as charity, Zenith Bank is positioning inclusion as both a social responsibility and an economic imperative.

This year’s commemoration highlighted programmes designed to support skills development, promote digital access, and encourage workplaces to adopt inclusive policies. By placing people with disabilities at the centre of its activities — listening, collaborating, and responding — Zenith Bank is signalling that inclusion is not a one-day event, but a long-term commitment to building stronger, fairer communities.

Inclusion of persons with disabilities in financial products and services has been identified as an important step on the pathway to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

That is why it remains a core part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda and its alignment with global development frameworks.

Several barriers hinder access to financial services and systems by people with disabilities, and these include physical accessibility of financial institutions, banking facilities, and automated machines. In some cases, services and products do not cater to the needs of people with disabilities; for example, insurance policies might overlook the risks associated with disability. In addition, people with disabilities face challenges accessing credit due to the perceived higher risk by financial institutions, which has led to the denial of loans.

Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD), which mandates members to promote and ensure the equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their dignity. The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate joint committee in November 2016. Former President Muhammadu Buhari later signed it on January 17, 2019. The law established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and empowered it to promote, protect and prioritize the rights of persons with disabilities, and to further enhance their productivity through education, health, and other socio-economic activities of the state.

However, through targeted interventions and community support initiatives, the Zenith Bank continues to champion equal job opportunities, social protection, and improved living conditions for persons with disabilities across Nigeria, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

In addition, Zenith Bank also recognises that effective financial intermediation must reach all segments of society. Also, it recognises the critical role that financial inclusion plays in driving economic growth, reducing poverty and improving living standards. This is not merely corporate social responsibility. It is about expanding the reach of financial intermediation to previously underserved populations.

Its commitment to inclusive banking is evident in its tailored products for different age demographics. For Nigeria’s growing youth population, the bank offers the ZECA (Zenith Children’s Account) and ASPIRE accounts, specifically designed to meet young people’s financial needs and encourage early adoption of proper banking habits.

The ZECA account introduces children to banking whilst teaching financial literacy from an early age. The ASPIRE account caters to young adults and students, providing them with access to modern banking services including mobile banking, internet banking, and debit cards at affordable rates.

Recognising that Nigeria’s older population also deserves dedicated attention, Zenith Bank developed the Timeless account package specifically for senior citizens. This account comes with preferential treatment at banking halls, dedicated relationship managers, and services tailored to meet the unique needs of older customers, ensuring that banking remains accessible and comfortable for all ages.

Support for Persons with Disabilities

In reaffirming its unwavering commitment to inclusion and social responsibility, Zenith Bank joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), celebrated annually on December 3. This year’s theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” underscored the crucial need to build communities where every individual, regardless of physical or cognitive ability, can live and thrive with dignity.

In honour of this important day, Zenith Bank visited the Missionaries of Charity–Contemplative (MCC) Home for Orphan Boys in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos State. The facility cares for physically and mentally challenged boys, many of whom are orphans or homeless children in need of lifelong support and compassionate care.

During the visit, the bank presented a N2,000,000 cash donation to support the Home’s ongoing medical, nutritional, and rehabilitation needs. In addition, the bank donated wheelchairs, essential food supplies, and toiletries to improve the welfare and comfort of the children. These contributions reflect the bank’s belief that empowering vulnerable groups strengthens the fabric of society and promotes shared prosperity.

In 2024, the Zenith Bank, in line with its tradition, joined the global community in commemorating the 2024 IDPD. That year’s theme was, “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.”

As part of its CSR activity to mark this important day, Zenith Bank visited the Marigold Special Needs School, Alagbado, Lagos State. A school that caters to children with cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism, ADHD, and a host of mental and neurological disorders.

During the 2024 visit to Marigold Homes, the bank also presented a N2,000,000 cash donation to support the Home’s ongoing medical care for the children, nutritional, rehabilitation needs, and operational costs in the hospice. In addition, the Bank donated wheelchairs, assorted food supplies, toiletries, and diverse branded gift items such as backpacks, food flasks, notebooks, and bluetooth speakers to improve the welfare and comfort of the children.

The contributions reflected the bank’s commitment to inclusivity and reducing inequalities for children with disabilities by addressing some basic needs.

Celebrating Christmas with Charity Visits

To mark the 2024 Christmas Charity Visit, the bank visited the Lady Atinuke Oyindamola Memorial Home, Badagry, Lagos on December 24, 2024. The objective of the home is to cater to people with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, and autism.

During the 2024 visit to the Lady Atinuke Oyindamola Memorial Home, Lagos, the bank presented a N1,000,000 cash donation to support the Home’s ongoing medical care for the children, nutritional, rehabilitation needs, and operational costs in the hospice. In addition, the bank donated wheelchairs, assorted food supplies, toiletries, and diverse branded gift items for both the children and caregivers towards the improvement of learning and care at the home. 

Also, in 2025, the bank visited the Hope at Last Orphanage, Ayobo, Lagos on December 24, 2025. The orphanage restores hope to the hopeless, vulnerable children, such as orphans, homeless children, and motherless babies in society.  During the 2025 visit to the Hope at Last Orphanage, Ayobo, Lagos, the bank presented a N2,000,000 cash donation to support the Home’s ongoing medical care for the children, nutritional/rehabilitation needs as well as operational costs in the orphanage. In addition, the Bank donated wheelchairs, essential items, including toiletries, Christmas cake, food supplies, diverse branded items, and other necessary consumables to enhance the well-being of the residents under their care.

This initiative serves as a reminder of the bank’s responsibility to support those in need, particularly the vulnerable children, the elderly, and individuals experiencing socio-economic challenges, aligning with the relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Conclusion

In the final analysis, Zenith Bank’s support toward PLWDs, beyond charity, is reshaping access to opportunity. By expanding financial inclusion tools, supporting tailored products, and removing physical and digital barriers to banking, the bank believes that participation in the economy should never depend on ability status. That shift from sympathy to empowerment is what truly differentiates sustainable impact from seasonal gestures.

Equally important is the bank’s deliberate outreach to less-privileged homes and communities. Through targeted donations, partnerships with credible social organisations, and regular engagement with vulnerable households, Zenith Bank is demonstrating that corporate citizenship must be grounded in presence — showing up where the needs are deepest.

These interventions may not solve every challenge, but they help restore dignity, hope, and connection for people often left at the margins.

Taken together, these efforts signal a broader vision of development that recognises people as the center of progress. As more institutions embrace inclusion as strategy, the ripple effects can be transformative: stronger communities, more resilient households, and a financial system that truly works for everyone. In championing inclusion and community impact, Zenith Bank offers a model of how business success and social responsibility can reinforce each other, rather than compete.