First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has supported and participated in the Peak Performer Emerging Leaders’ Summit 2026, a youth-focused leadership and career development programme that brought together 1,000 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for practical training in employment, entrepreneurship, financial management and leadership.
Convened by Dr Abiola Salami and organised by The Peak Performer Africa, the summit was held on August 19, 2026, at Solution Arena, Lagos, under the theme, “I Move with G.R.I.T. – From Potential to Performance.”
The programme was designed to equip young graduates with practical workplace, financial and entrepreneurial skills needed to translate their academic potential into measurable career and personal progress.
Participants were trained along five key pathways: Get Hired, Get Digital, Get Financially Strong, Build Something and Create Impact.
The sessions addressed workplace expectations, artificial intelligence and digital skills, personal finance, entrepreneurship, responsible leadership and community problem-solving.
Speaking on the objective of the summit, Salami, Founder of The Peak Performer Africa and Convener of the programme, said young Nigerians needed more than academic qualifications to succeed in a competitive environment.
“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,” Salami said.
He added that the real value of the programme would be measured by what participants accomplished after leaving the summit.
“The real measure of this summit will be what participants execute after leaving the venue,” he said.
FCMB’s participation included contributions from Olajire Awofisibe, Group Head of Retail Asset Products, who joined other professionals and business leaders in discussions on the skills and attributes young people need to secure employment, distinguish themselves and advance professionally.
Awofisibe also served as a faculty member in the Get Financially Strong laboratory, where participants examined practical issues including budgeting, saving, responsible borrowing, credit management and financial planning, particularly the decisions that accompany receiving a first salary.
He stressed that earning an income was only the beginning of building financial security, urging young people to develop responsible money-management habits early in their careers.
“The transition from national service to employment or entrepreneurship comes with important financial decisions. Income alone does not create financial security,” Awofisibe said.
He explained that financial stability depended largely on how consistently individuals budgeted, saved, used credit and planned for the future.
Awofisibe also cautioned young people against using credit irresponsibly, noting that borrowing could be useful when directed towards productive objectives but could become a financial burden when used for consumption without a clear repayment strategy.
“Responsible borrowing can help people pursue useful goals, but credit becomes a burden when it finances consumption without a clear repayment plan,” he said.
He encouraged participants to establish sound financial habits from their first income as a foundation for long-term financial wellbeing.
The summit combined expert-led learning with panel discussions, audience activities, music and comedy, creating an interactive platform for the young participants.
Nigerian Idol winner Victory Gbakara and first runner-up Precious Mac also shared experiences from their careers, highlighting the preparation, discipline and courage required to transform talent and potential into performance.
Participants subsequently commenced a 30-Day MOVE Challenge, designed to turn lessons from the training into practical action.
Working in groups, the corps members developed projects across the five identified pathways, selected beneficiaries, established milestones and presented their plans for review.
Each participant also committed to completing and documenting a specific action within 30 days.
FCMB’s support for the programme forms part of its efforts to equip young Nigerians with financial knowledge and workplace skills that can help them navigate the transition from national service into employment, entrepreneurship and other productive opportunities.
The 2026 summit built on the success of the 2025 edition, which attracted more than 500 corps members, representing a significant expansion in participation this year.
