Nigeria: Citi Announces Winners of 2007 Microentrepreneur Awards

Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Citi's major brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.

Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation is committed to enhancing economic opportunities for underserved individuals and families in the communities where we work throughout the world. Globally, the Citi Foundation is focusing its giving on Microfinance and Microentrepreneurship, which helps individuals become economically self-sufficient; Small and Growing Businesses leading to economic expansion and job creation; Education, which prepares young people for personal and professional success; Financial Education, which helps individuals make informed financial decisions; and the Environment with a focus on sustainable enterprises that generate jobs and stimulate economic growth while preserving the environment. In the U.S. and Canada, the Citi Foundation supports Community Development programs that help build and revitalize neighborhoods and Education programs that prepare students for college and careers. Additional information can be found at http://www.citigroupfoundation.org/.

NIB
Nigeria International Bank Limited is a subsidiary of Citigroup Inc (Citi). The bank started its operations in Nigeria in 1984 and focuses on Corporate and Investment Banking, with a broad range of services, including global transaction services, sales and trading, corporate finance and investment banking services being offered to corporate and commercial customers, financial institutions (including other banks) and public sector organizations. NIB operates 13 branches and has over 300 employees across the country.

GBF
Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF) was founded in 1999 to be a leading non-governmental, non-profit organization with a vision of "sustainable economic development led by socially responsible businesses and individuals." GBF's is sustained by its member organizations which include: MTN, Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria International Bank Limited, Exxonmobil, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Afrinvest, C& F Porter Novelli, Chevron Texaco, Express Discount Limited, and NLNG.


	Printer Friendly Page		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) January 21, 2008 Nigeria: Citi Announces Winners of 2007 Microentrepreneur Awards Twenty-Seven Nigerian micro-entrepreneurs have emerged winners of the 2007 Microentrepreneur Awards program. The winners were feted and awarded cash prizes at a dinner jointly hosted with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF) in Abuja on Thursday, January 17, 2008, with numerous financial dignitaries in attendance including the Central Bank Governor, Professor Chukwuma C. Soludo, Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, CBN's Director of Development Finance, Mr. Sesan Bamisile, Managing Director of Nigeria International Bank Ltd. (Citi), Mr. Emeka Emuwa, President and Founder of GBF, Dr. Ndidi Nnoli Edozien Awards for winners, who were nominated by their local Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), were handed out in five major categories – Best Micro Business Model, Most Marketed Product, Most Innovative Product, Employment Generation and Best Enterprising Micro Communication Outfit. Three cash prizes were awarded in each category – a winner and first and second runner up. The winner in each category received a cash award of N200,000 (Naira) and runner-up cash prizes of N150,000 and N100,000 were awarded to the first and second runner-up respectively. Twelve consolations prizes of N 50,000 each were also awarded. In addition to the cash awards, Citi, through its partnership with GBF, also has plans to support the winners, post the awards ceremony, through special training and business plan development workshops. In 2007, Citi Foundation committed $1.5 million (USD) to the Citi Microentrepreneur Awards program across 26 countries. The awards programme was successfully implemented in 23 countries in 2006, with nearly 5,000 microentrepreneurs nominated by (MFIs), and over 400 winners. The Citi Microentrepreneur Awards strives to ensure that small business owners throughout Nigeria and other participating countries are celebrated for their efforts in creating sustainable businesses in their communities. # # # Citi Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Citi's major brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com. Citi Foundation The Citi Foundation is committed to enhancing economic opportunities for underserved individuals and families in the communities where we work throughout the world. Globally, the Citi Foundation is focusing its giving on Microfinance and Microentrepreneurship, which helps individuals become economically self-sufficient; Small and Growing Businesses leading to economic expansion and job creation; Education, which prepares young people for personal and professional success; Financial Education, which helps individuals make informed financial decisions; and the Environment with a focus on sustainable enterprises that generate jobs and stimulate economic growth while preserving the environment. In the U.S. and Canada, the Citi Foundation supports Community Development programs that help build and revitalize neighborhoods and Education programs that prepare students for college and careers. Additional information can be found at http://www.citigroupfoundation.org/. NIB Nigeria International Bank Limited is a subsidiary of Citigroup Inc (Citi). The bank started its operations in Nigeria in 1984 and focuses on Corporate and Investment Banking, with a broad range of services, including global transaction services, sales and trading, corporate finance and investment banking services being offered to corporate and commercial customers, financial institutions (including other banks) and public sector organizations. NIB operates 13 branches and has over 300 employees across the country. GBF Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF) was founded in 1999 to be a leading non-governmental, non-profit organization with a vision of "sustainable economic development led by socially responsible businesses and individuals." GBF's is sustained by its member organizations which include: MTN, Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria International Bank Limited, Exxonmobil, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Afrinvest, C& F Porter Novelli, Chevron Texaco, Express Discount Limited, and NLNG.