First City Monument Bank (FCMB) is using culture as a way to boost economic growth by supporting small businesses and connecting them to bigger markets through events like the Ibadan Cultural Festival.
As a lead partner of the festival, organised by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the bank said cultural events are becoming strong business platforms. They bring together vendors, creatives, and service providers, creating real economic activity.
Speaking in Ibadan, FCMB’s Divisional Head of Corporate Affairs, Diran Olojo, explained that the bank focuses on helping businesses grow by giving them access to funding, visibility, and easy payment systems.
He added that the festival supports sectors like hospitality, retail, transport, and entertainment, while also attracting people from the diaspora who contribute through investments and remittances.
The festival, also called Okebadan, draws large crowds of residents, indigenes, and visitors, increasing business activities across the city.
President-General of CCII, Ajeniyi Ajewole, said the event promotes tourism, supports local businesses, and allows Ibadan indigenes abroad to reconnect and invest in their hometown.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Gbolagade Akere, added that the 2026 edition is designed to position Ibadan as a key tourism and investment destination.
FCMB said its involvement is part of a larger plan to help small and informal businesses grow by connecting them to finance, markets, and new opportunities.