UBA Foundation, Slum2School Empower Kids With Money Management Skills

The UBA Foundation, which serves as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wing of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group, has reinforced its dedication to financial education. This was achieved through a collaboration with Slum2School Africa, aimed at conducting a practical financial literacy workshop. The initiative was designed to equip underprivileged children with fundamental money management abilities right from their early years.

Central to this educational effort was the "UBA Money Explorers Book," a captivating resource crafted to teach children financial basics via interactive narratives, hands-on money ledgers, engaging games, and various activities. Furthermore, the program introduced participants to the "UBA Red Vault," a specialized savings product developed to foster sound financial practices in children from a young age.

During the workshop, Bola Atta, the Managing Director of UBA Foundation, emphasized the critical need for early financial education for children. She highlighted how such early interventions cultivate enduring habits that promote self-assurance, accountability, and financial autonomy. Atta stated, “Every child deserves the tools to dream bigger and plan better, regardless of where they come from. When we teach a child to understand money, we are giving them confidence, choice and a clearer sense of what is possible. Our partnership with Slum2School Africa enables us to reach children who stand to benefit the most, and seeing their enthusiasm as they learn reminds us why this work is so important.”

The Slum2School Africa team provided invaluable expertise for the workshop. Senior Programmes Manager, Adekunle Idowu, and Education and Innovation Manager, Oluyemi Alugo, spearheaded this team, and their input was instrumental in crafting an engaging and highly effective learning environment for the young participants.

Addressing UBA's dedication to fostering financially astute young individuals, Ozioma Obi, UBA's Segment Executive for Children and Youth Banking, noted that this initiative aligns with the bank's wider objective of cultivating a financially assured generation. Obi explained, “We are creating products and experiences that make banking simple, relatable and enjoyable for children from their very first lesson. The Money Explorers Book and the UBA Red Vault are designed to make saving exciting rather than a task. When children begin this journey early, they develop habits that will serve them throughout their lives. That is how we nurture informed, empowered and financially responsible future generations.”

This particular initiative is an integral component of the UBA Foundation's extensive financial inclusion and social impact strategy. This broader agenda is committed to advancing education, empowering youth, and fostering community development through creative learning programs and local outreach efforts across all twenty African nations where the UBA Group operates.

Adekunle Idowu, the Senior Programmes Manager for Slum2School Africa, also contributed, stating: “Financial literacy is a life skill that every child deserves, regardless of their background. Through this partnership with UBA Foundation, we are helping children develop the confidence, knowledge and discipline to make informed financial decisions from an early age. When we empower children with these skills today, we are investing in a more financially responsible and economically resilient future.”