First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Aisha N. Ahmad,CFA; Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON; and Chairman, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi; at the 2025 Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) held in Atlanta, Georgia over the weekend.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has officially launched the 2025 edition of the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect (FNITCC) at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed Lagos State’s readiness to partner with corporate organizations and sub-national governments worldwide to unlock its vast economic potential. He described Lagos as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse, noting that in 2024 the state attracted $5.95 billion in foreign capital inflows—over two-thirds of Nigeria’s total.
Despite global headwinds, Lagos continued to dominate in Q1 2025, drawing $2.56 billion in fresh foreign capital. Sanwo-Olu projected that Lagos is on course to become the world’s ninth-largest city economy by 2030, with a population exceeding 30 million and one of Africa’s most vibrant consumer markets. He further highlighted Lagos as the hub of Africa’s tech ecosystem, home to more than 2,500 startups, including unicorns like Flutterwave and Andela.
FNITCC, hosted by Fidelity Bank Plc, is the bank’s flagship market access platform for boosting Nigeria’s non-oil exports. This year’s edition brought together over 3,000 participants—including investors, trade agencies, exporters, and diaspora professionals—with trade and investment deals projected to exceed $300 million.
Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the initiative underscores the bank’s commitment to shifting Nigeria-U.S. trade relations beyond oil. She stressed that while Nigeria’s non-oil exports currently generate less than $5 billion annually, the potential for growth is significant.
“Georgia, with its world-class logistics infrastructure, vibrant diaspora, and progressive trade policies, is a natural partner in Nigeria’s transformation toward a non-oil export-driven economy,” Onyeali-Ikpe said. “Its ports, airports, and innovation hubs offer Nigerian exporters a strategic gateway into the U.S. market.”
FNITCC Atlanta 2025 is the third edition of Fidelity Bank’s global trade initiative, following successful events in London and Houston, which unlocked over $500 million in export business.
Fidelity Bank serves over 9.1 million customers across 251 branches and digital platforms in Nigeria and the UK and has been recognized with multiple awards for innovation, SME banking, and export financing.
