MY YEARS AT FMBN
My years at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria will always hold a special place in my heart. It was more than a job, it was a journey of growth, service, and shared purpose. I started from the lower management levels, learning, listening, and understanding the human side of housing finance. Over time, I worked my way up through the system, taking on different roles that each deepened my appreciation for the Bank’s mission and its people.
As Group Head of Corporate Communications, I had the privilege of telling the Bank’s story, not just through press releases or reports, but through the real faces behind our work. I wanted Nigerians to see that FMBN was not an abstract institution but a lifeline for workers who dreamt of owning their own homes. Communication for me was never just about publicity; it was about building trust and giving voice to the people we served.
Later, as Zonal Coordinator for the North Central Region, I came to appreciate the operational side of that mission. Coordinating multiple state branches required both structure and empathy. We worked tirelessly to expand the reach of the National Housing Fund, increase registrations, and strengthen our relationships with contributors. I was blessed with a team of committed managers who shared my belief that excellence in public service is possible when people feel valued and empowered.
When I was appointed Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, it felt like the culmination of everything I had learned along the way. I understood the Bank, its people, its strengths, and its challenges. My focus was to bring structure, efficiency, and transparency to its operations. Together, we modernized our financial systems, digitized staff records, renovated branch offices, updated human resource policies, and ensured timely submission of the Bank’s audited financial statements.
But my greatest source of pride was not in systems or reports, it was in people. I cared deeply about the staff, their welfare, their growth, and their morale. We built a culture that valued fairness and teamwork, where people were encouraged to do their best work and to know that their efforts mattered. I often said that a healthy institution begins with healthy people, respected, supported, and motivated to serve with integrity.
Looking back, my journey at FMBN was one of quiet transformation, for the Bank, and for me. I learned that reform is not just about changing processes; it’s about inspiring people to believe again. Those years shaped how I lead and how I serve. They prepared me to take on new challenges with the same conviction, that public service, done with sincerity and discipline, can truly change lives.
