LAGOS — Fidelity Bank Plc has officially opened the doors to the second edition of its flagship women’s empowerment initiative, the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme (HAP) 2.0. Announced on Monday, February 23, 2026, the program marks a strategic shift from basic skill acquisition to building “sustainable economic pipelines” for Nigerian women.
Building on the successes of the 2023 inaugural edition, HAP 2.0 is specifically designed to address the “missing link” between learning a craft and successfully running a business in Nigeria’s current high-inflation economy.
More Than Just Training: The 2.0 Enhancements
According to Osita Ede, Fidelity Bank’s Divisional Head of Product Development, the 2026 edition has been redesigned based on direct feedback from previous graduates. The “2.0” model focuses on:
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Income-Generating Skills: Prioritizing high-demand vocational skills that offer immediate market entry.
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Stronger Partnerships: Collaboration with industry leaders and technical experts to ensure training meets 2026 industrial standards.
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Deeper Mentorship: Pairing apprentices with established female entrepreneurs to navigate the “teething problems” of early-stage business ownership.
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Structured Entrepreneurship Pathways: Providing graduates with access to tailored financial products and startup capital.
Bridging the Gender Productivity Gap
By focusing on “Apprenticeship,” Fidelity Bank is targeting the segment of the female workforce that often lacks the formal collateral to access traditional loans but possesses the technical drive to scale small enterprises.
“We have returned with stronger partnerships and deeper mentorship programmes to ensure that women acquire not just skills, but sustainable economic opportunities,” Ede stated during the media briefing.
Programme Snapshot: HerFidelity HAP 2.0
| Feature | Details |
| Target Audience | Aspiring female entrepreneurs and artisans across Nigeria. |
| Core Goal | Moving from “skill acquisition” to “sustainable income generation.” |
| Key Pillars | Technical Training, Business Mentorship, and Financial Access. |
| Succession | Builds on the 2023 inaugural framework. |
| Institutional Support | Backed by Fidelity Bank’s dedicated Women in Business (WIB) desk. |
The 2026 Female Entrepreneurship Landscape
This initiative comes at a vital time as Nigerian women are increasingly becoming the primary drivers of the SME sector. With the Naira stabilizing and new regional trade opportunities via AfCFTA , programs like HAP 2.0 provide the technical “ammunition” needed for women to compete on a continental level.
