By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
NOVA Bank on Monday, December 15, 2025, officially opened its Owerri office, which also serves as the South East Regional Headquarters, along Okigwe Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The commissioning ceremony was performed by the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, alongside his deputy, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru. Also in attendance were government officials, the Chairman of NOVA Bank, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, bank executives, customers, and business partners from within and outside Nigeria.
Cutting the ribbon, Governor Uzodimma described NOVA Bank’s decision to establish its regional headquarters in Owerri as a strategic affirmation of confidence in Imo State’s future. He noted that the development reflects the state’s growing appeal to investors, driven by improvements in infrastructure, security, power supply, and digital transformation under his administration.
“I am pleased to commission the regional and state headquarters of NOVA Bank,” the governor said, describing the move as “a vote of implicit confidence in the capacity of Imo State to provide a safe and fertile environment for business.”
Uzodimma further praised the bank for its clarity of vision in recognizing Imo State not just as a destination, but as a “place to build, grow, and prosper.” He assured NOVA Bank of the state government’s support and commended Mr. Oduoza for what he described as a patriotic investment in his home region.
Earlier in his remarks, NOVA Bank Chairman, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, described the opening as a major milestone in the bank’s growth journey. He explained that NOVA Bank, established in 2018, evolved from a merchant bank into a national commercial bank to better serve the diverse financial needs of Nigerians.
According to Oduoza, the Owerri branch will play a key role in driving the bank’s expansion across the South East. He said the office would contribute to job creation, support local businesses, strengthen trade linkages, and complement government development initiatives, while delivering exceptional banking solutions to customers.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines, the bank’s Head of Brand and Corporate Communications, Mr. Kelvin Anyaegbunam, said NOVA Bank’s guiding principle, “New Thinking, New Opportunities,” shapes its approach to understanding customers and tailoring services to meet their financial needs and aspirations.
He highlighted the bank’s flagship NOVA Phygital Banking App, which offers seamless digital banking solutions, as well as the NOVA Diaspora Product designed to provide safe and reliable investment opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora.
Anyaegbunam encouraged residents of Imo State and the wider South East to patronize the bank, assuring them of efficient and customer-focused service delivery. “NOVA Bank will always put its customers first in meeting their financial needs. This is our tradition and our promise,” he said.
The colourful ceremony featured a tour of the bank’s facilities, while customers, including Captain Chike Orjiako and Engr. John Awujuo, shared positive testimonials about their experiences with NOVA Bank, commending the professionalism and dedication of its staff.
