Access Bank Namibia has announced the selection of 38 graduates for its prestigious Graduate Programme, which offers hands-on training at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.
Access Bank Namibia’s Head of Human Resources Edwina Hashikutuva said the programme, which attracted over 1,000 applicants, is designed to provide participants with both practical and theoretical experience in banking.
The six-month training is split into two phases: three months of on-the-job training at the headquarters in Lagos, followed by three months of classroom sessions at the Banking School of Excellence.
The successful candidates will also have their flight tickets, accommodation, and meals covered during the training.
“The fact that we received over 1,000 applications shows just how excited Namibians are about this initiative. The applicants went through an intensive assessment and interview process, where we focused on their attitude rather than experience. We are looking for trainable candidates who are ready to take on leadership roles in the future,” Hashikutuva said.
Hashikutuva explained that the graduates selected for the programme would undergo both practical and classroom training in Lagos, with the expectation that they would perform at a high level.
“You are starting your new career now. You are required to pass all assignments and tests during the classroom phase, as only those who succeed will graduate from the programme,” she said.
Upon completion of the training, successful graduates will be guaranteed permanent employment with Access Bank Namibia.
In addition to the opportunity for a permanent job, the programme promises long-term career growth.
“During your first two years of employment, you will be integrated into our performance management system, which is designed to guide your career progression. We invest in you, and we expect to see a return on that investment through your continued performance and growth within the bank” Hashikutuva added.
Head of Access Bank’s Namibian project, Oluseun Onasoga, spoke about the bank’s broader vision for the future and encouraged the graduates to make the most of the opportunity, noting the diversity they would encounter in Lagos.
“You will be training alongside individuals from 16 different African countries, and you’ll be competing to earn the highest marks in the class. The experience will be challenging, but I am confident that Namibians have the drive to excel, as we have seen with many of our graduates who have gone on to pursue advanced degrees,” he said.
Hashikutuva said the programme is part of Access Bank Namibia’s strategy to address the skills shortage in the country while providing opportunities for young professionals to build careers in the banking sector.
This comes as the Bank of Namibia (BoN) has granted Access Bank Namibia Limited a provisional license to begin preparations for conducting banking business in the country.
This development follows Nigeria-headquartered Access Bank Plc’s identification in 2021 of eight African countries for potential expansion, as it seeks to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
The commercial bank operates through a network of more than 600 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 18 countries, and serving over 49 million customers.
Access Bank employs 28,000 people in its operations in Nigeria and has subsidiaries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom (with a branch in Dubai, UAE) and representative offices in China, Lebanon, and India.
