The Chief Executive Officer of FCMB Group, Ladi Balogun, has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting homegrown brands that demonstrate resilience, innovation, and dedication to local value creation.

Speaking at the unveiling of Auldon Toys’ N8 billion Children’s Experience Centre in Lagos, Balogun emphasized that FCMB will continue to back small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in niche sectors such as creative manufacturing, retail, and light industry.

“Nigerian entrepreneurs need consistent access to financing, advisory services, and strategic partnerships to unlock their full potential,” he said.

The new centre marks Auldon Toys’ shift from a wholesale distribution model to direct retail, offering an immersive environment for children and families. Features include a toy supermarket, family café, hands-on workshops, robotics and physics-inspired games, creative engineering sessions, and a doll fashion workshop.

Balogun lauded the company for its investment in Nigeria’s creative manufacturing sector, aligning with FCMB’s strategy of helping indigenous enterprises scale sustainably. He also pledged ongoing support for initiatives that empower children, create jobs, and promote economic growth.

Auldon Toys CEO Paul Orajiaka described the centre as a milestone in the company’s evolution.

“We wanted to bring something more personal and impactful to Nigerian children—quality toys, unique offerings, and an environment where learning and play happen together,” he said.

The company has committed over N8 billion to the project and plans to expand across Nigeria and the wider sub-region. It also intends to integrate the centre into the educational ecosystem, with summer programs for schools focused on toy assembly, robotics, engineering, and creative design.

Orajiaka highlighted challenges faced by private investors, including high infrastructure costs and unreliable electricity, noting that the centre is currently powered largely by diesel generators.

“Affordable loans and improved credit structures from the Central Bank of Nigeria and commercial banks would help emerging businesses grow faster,” he said, reflecting on how earlier access to cheaper funding could have accelerated Auldon Toys’ 27-year journey.

The launch of the centre underscores the potential of Nigeria’s creative economy and the critical role of financial institutions and government support in nurturing homegrown innovation.