By Francis Ajuonuma
NOVA Bank has established a regional operational hub for the South-East and South-South zones with the commissioning of its regional office in Owerri, Imo State.
At the event, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, announced that the state government would provide land for the development of the bank’s permanent regional headquarters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen Owerri’s position as a growing financial and commercial centre.
Uzodinma said the entry of NOVA Bank into the state aligns with ongoing government initiatives aimed at attracting private-sector investment, expanding financial services, and supporting economic activity across the region.
He noted that improved infrastructure and market-oriented policies had made the state more competitive for institutional investors.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by government officials, business leaders from the South-East and South-South, and members of the Nigerian diaspora.
Speaking at the event, NOVA Bank Chairman, Phillips Oduoza, said the Owerri office would serve as the bank’s strategic base for coordinating operations across the two geopolitical zones.
He explained that the hub would support the bank’s expansion strategy and deepen its engagement with businesses and public institutions in the region.
Oduoza said the bank’s operations would focus on providing financial services to small and medium-sized enterprises, corporates, retail customers, and public-sector entities, supported by a combination of digital platforms and physical banking infrastructure.
He added that the establishment of the regional hub is expected to contribute to job creation, improved access to credit, and expanded financial inclusion in the South-East and South-South.
The move reflects increasing competition among financial institutions seeking growth opportunities outside Nigeria’s traditional banking centres, as regional markets continue to attract investment and commercial activity
