FirstBank, West Africa’s premier bank and financial inclusion services provider, proudly announces that its Corporate University, FirstAcademy, has won the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards 2025.

Indeed, this highly acclaimed award recognises how FirstAcademy has demonstrated outstanding commitment to driving social and climate change learning initiatives, aligning its learning and development programs with internal stakeholder needs, and promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Also, the  GlobalCCU Awards serve as a prestigious, biannual recognition of excellence in corporate universities, and set the highest standard for the industry.

However, since its inaugural ceremony in Paris in 2013, the awards have consistently honoured outstanding Corporate Universities and learning and development structures worldwide.

The GlobalCCU Awards celebrate institutions that create remarkable value for people, businesses, society, and the planet.

FirstBank’s FirstAcademy has exemplified this mission by winning the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the 2025 ceremony in Paris, France.

This distinction reflects how FirstAcademy has remained dedicated to fostering sustainability and environmental responsibility.

It also include development of  impactful learning initiatives that transcend traditional corporate training with broader societal goals; integrated climate action into its portfolio and operations.

Moreover,  it has expanded climate finance offerings; and developed a climate action capacity-building training program.

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In addition to this, FirstBank inaugurated FirstAcademy in 2012 as the Bank’s designated corporate academy to provide structured talent development, knowledge management, and culture change initiatives.

One major objective of the academy remains to equip staff with the requisite knowledge and skills required to deliver on the Bank’s strategic aspirations and thrive in an ever-evolving work environment while contributing to social and environmental responsibility.

The Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, stated, “FirstAcademy is an outstanding Corporate University that is clearly the Best Corporate University globally for driving social and climate change learning initiatives.”

Congratulating FirstAcademy, the Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, added, “FirstAcademy is a very mature Corporate University which demonstrates a strong alignment with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development.

This mentioned, is with clear support from senior leadership and a governance model that strategically connects learning to business priorities.

Congratulations to FirstAcademy for setting a visionary standard in advancing meaningful social and climate change impact through learning and inclusive capacity building!”

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Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, expressed, “We are delighted to receive this international recognition for our efforts in promoting social responsibility and climate action.

This award serves as a testament to our belief that businesses can be a force for good, driving transformation that extends beyond profit to create sustainable and equitable futures for all.

FirstAcademy’s programs have not only enhanced employee skills but also contributed to the well-being of society and the environment.”

As FirstBank’s FirstAcademy continues to bridge the gap between corporate initiatives and community needs, it sets a leading example for corporate universities around the globe and inspires others to follow suit in the quest for meaningful change.

 

About FirstBank

First Bank of Nigeria Limited “FirstBank”, which established its operations in 1894, stands as the premier bank in West Africa, a leading financial inclusion services provider in Africa, and a digital banking giant.

FirstBank has extended its international footprints across three continents ─ Africa, Europe, and Asia.  Its expansion includes  FirstBank UK Limited operating in London and Paris; FirstBank operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone; FBNBank operating in Senegal; and a FirstBank Representative Office located in Beijing, China.

All subsidiary banks remain fully registered by their respective Central Banks to provide full banking services.

In addition to providing domestic banking services, the subsidiaries also carry out international cross-border transactions with FirstBank’s non-Nigerian subsidiaries, while the representative offices in Paris and China facilitate trade flows from Asia and Europe into Nigeria and other African countries.

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For over 13 decades, FirstBank has built a strong reputation for solid relationships, good corporate governance, and a strong liquidity position, and has led digital payment innovation in Nigeria with over 13 million cards issued to customers—making it the first bank in Nigeria to achieve such a milestone.

FirstBank has consistently invested in technology, innovation, and transformation, and has driven a cashless transaction culture, with over 25 million active customers signed up on its digital channels, including the USSD Quick Banking service via the widely used *894# Banking code.

With over 43 million customer accounts (including digital wallets) across Nigeria, the UK, and sub-Saharan Africa, the Bank offers a comprehensive range of retail and wholesale financial services through more than 820 business offices and over 280,000 agent locations spread across 772 out of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas.

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In addition to its banking services, FirstBank provides pension fund custody services in Nigeria through First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited and nominee and associated services through First Nominees Nigeria Limited.

FirstBank’s commitment to Diversity is reflected in its policies, partnerships, and initiatives such as its employee gender ratio (approximately 41% women to 59% men, with 37% of women in management roles) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, which aims to address gender gaps and increase women’s participation across all organizational levels. Additionally, the Bank’s membership of the UN Women affirms its alignment with the UN Women’s Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) ─ Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Non-Discrimination.

From 2011 to 2016, FirstBank earned the title of “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” for six consecutive years from The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group. The Bank also received the “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” award eight times in a row from 2011 to 2018 from the Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards.

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FirstBank maintained strong international credit ratings, with a Global Credit Rating of A+ with a positive outlook, and ratings from Fitch and Standard & Poor’s of A (nga) and ngBBB+ respectively, both with Stable outlooks as of September 2023.

In 2022, FirstBank achieved a significant milestone by maintaining the same level of international credit ratings as the Nigerian sovereign for the first time since 2015.

In 2024, FirstBank received notable international awards and accolades, including Nigeria’s Best Bank for ESG 2024 and Nigeria’s Best Bank for Corporates 2024 from Euromoney Awards for Excellence; Best SME Bank in Africa and Nigeria from The Asian Banker Global Awards; Best Private Bank in Nigeria and Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa from Global Finance Awards; and multiple awards such as Best Corporate Bank in Nigeria 2024, Best CSR Bank in Nigeria 2024, Best Retail Bank in Nigeria 2024, Best SME Bank in Nigeria 2024, and Best Private Bank in Nigeria 2024 from the Global Banking and Finance Awards.

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In 2025, FirstBank has continued to gain global recognition with prestigious awards, including Best SME Bank in Nigeria 2025 and Best SME Bank in Africa 2025 from The Asian Banker; Best Private Bank in Nigeria 2025 and Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa 2025 from Global Finance Awards; SME Financier of the Year in Nigeria 2025 from The Digital Banker Global SME Banking Innovation Awards; and Best Retail Bank in Nigeria 2025 and Best Bank for Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria 2025 from The Annual Global Economics Awards.

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Our vision remains “To be Africa’s Bank of first choice,” and our mission continues to be “To remain true to our name by providing the best financial services possible.” This commitment anchors on our core values of EPIC – Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation, and Customer-Centricity.

Our strategic ambition is “To deliver accelerated growth in profitability through customer-led innovation and disciplined execution,” while our brand promise is always to deliver the ultimate “gold standard” of value and excellence to position You First in every respect.

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