First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has supported the 2026 Peak Performer Emerging Leaders’ Summit, a youth-focused programme that brought together 1,000 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for practical training in employment, entrepreneurship, financial management and leadership.

Convened by Dr Abiola Salami through The Peak Performer Africa, the summit was held on August 19 at Solution Arena in Lagos under the theme, “I Move with G.R.I.T. – From Potential to Performance.” Africans & Diaspora

The programme was designed to help young graduates develop workplace competence, financial discipline, adaptability and execution skills as they move from academic potential towards meaningful career and business outcomes.

Training and discussions at the summit centred on five pathways: Get Hired, Get Digital, Get Financially Strong, Build Something and Create Impact. Participants received guidance on workplace expectations, artificial intelligence and digital skills, personal finance, entrepreneurship, responsible leadership and community problem-solving.

Founder of The Peak Performer Africa and convener of the summit, Dr Abiola Salami, said the initiative sought to help young people convert their potential into measurable results.

“Potential is a starting point, not an outcome. Young people need the mindset, capability, and discipline to take deliberate action and produce evidence of progress. The real measure of this summit will be what participants execute after leaving the venue,” he said.

FCMB’s involvement included the participation of the bank’s Group Head of Retail Asset Products, Olajire Awofisibe, who joined other professionals and business leaders for a session on workplace entry, standing out professionally and building sustainable careers.

Awofisibe also served as a faculty member in the Get Financially Strong laboratory. The session exposed participants to budgeting, saving, responsible borrowing, credit management and other financial decisions that commonly arise when young people receive their first salary.

He stressed the importance of establishing responsible financial habits early, particularly during the transition from national service into employment or entrepreneurship.

“The transition from national service to employment or entrepreneurship comes with important financial decisions. Income alone does not create financial security. What matters is how consistently people budget, save, use credit and plan for the future,” he said.

Awofisibe further explained that responsible borrowing could help people achieve useful financial goals, while warning that credit could become a burden when it is used to fund consumption without a clear repayment plan.

Beyond the training sessions, the summit featured panel discussions, practical learning activities, music, comedy and audience engagement. Nigerian Idol winner Victory Gbakara and first runner-up Precious Mac also shared perspectives on the preparation, discipline and courage needed to transform talent into performance. Africans & Diaspora

The lessons from the summit were followed by a 30-Day MOVE Challenge, allowing participants to apply what they had learned.

As part of the challenge, participants formed groups to develop projects under the five pathways, identify beneficiaries and set milestones before submitting their plans for review. Each participant also pledged to complete and document a specific action within 30 days.

FCMB’s backing of the programme is part of its efforts to promote financial literacy and workplace readiness among young Nigerians.

The 2026 summit builds on the inaugural edition held in 2025, which attracted more than 500 corps members and reflected the increasing emphasis on providing young people with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and leadership.

Source: msme Africa online