In a bold show of confidence in the bank she leads, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, has increased her equity stake by acquiring 18 million additional shares in the bank.
The transaction, officially filed with the Nigerian Exchange on May 19, 2025, shows the shares were acquired at ₦20.35 each. This purchase not only increases her personal stake but also sends a clear message that she’s betting big on Fidelity’s future.
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe’s acquisition is coming days after rumours swirled that Fidelity Bank was facing bankruptcy, which stepped from a Supreme Court’s order that the bank to pay damages of N225 billion to a Nigerian firm. Both the bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria had since denied the news.
With this latest purchase, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s total shareholding has jumped from 94.6 million to 112.6 million shares, an increase of 19%. She now owns nearly 29% of all shares held by Fidelity’s directors, up from 25.6% at the end of 2024.
Making a statement
This strategic investment comes at a moment when leadership and clarity matter most. On the same day the deal was made public, Fidelity Bank shut down false rumours circulating about its financial health. According to the bank, the bankruptcy claim was part of a targeted smear campaign.
But Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe didn’t just address the noise, she doubled down with action. Her investment is a bold statement, saying, ‘We’re strong. We’re growing. And I’m all in.‘
The market seemed to hear her loud and clear. On May 19, Fidelity Bank led the Nigerian Exchange in trading volume, with over 60 million shares changing hands.
Stock performance holding steady
Fidelity’s stock has remained firm in 2025. The bank’s shares opened the year at ₦17.50, climbed to ₦19.45 by late January, and, despite a brief dip in April, bounced back to ₦19.95. As of May 19, shares were trading at ₦19.00, with an 8.6% year-to-date gain.
Business is booming
Fidelity Bank isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving. In Q1 2025, the bank posted a pre-tax profit of ₦107.77 billion, representing 167.79% year-on-year growth.
Most of that came from interest income, which made up 89% of gross earnings. Lending to customers was the major driver, backed by healthy returns from securities investments.
The bank’s customer base also showed up strong. New deposits rose by ₦661.95 billion in Q1, pushing overall deposits up by 11.15%. Fidelity’s total assets grew to ₦10.45 trillion, while cash reserves surged by 128.9% to ₦1.62 trillion.
