Strategically positioning a financial institution for global competitiveness involves defining its unique value proposition and target market.

For a strong and timeless positioning to be achieved, an upscale location, a distinct image, and design must be created in the minds of customers, ultimately driving brand recall, loyalt,y and business growth.

To underscore the importance of its adequate institutional framework to compete in the international arena and impact the global financial landscape,

FirstBank of Nigeria Limited recently launched its new green-certified iconic 44-floor Head Office building in Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos.

During a recent groundbreaking ceremony, which marked a significant milestone for the bank, the Bank noted that it has begun a new era with the landmark edifice designed to meet the highest standards of environmental sustainability. The iconic, eco-friendly building is a testament to FirstBank’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance ESG principles.

Creating another significant milestone in its storied legacy, the iconic structure represents the Bank’s commitment to innovation, reinvention, and sustainability. It is a symbol of its readiness for the future and a constant reminder to its teeming customers that FirstBank will continue to deliver cutting-edge, exceptional services tailored to meet their specific needs. According to FirstBank, with its cutting-edge design and state-of-the-art technology, the tower will serve as a beacon of sustainability and innovation in the financial sector.

A mixed-use high-rise building with a total height of 252 metres and a total built-up area of 115, 000 square metres, the architectural landmark will elevate the skyline of Eko Atlantic City, as it’s designed to inspire and engineered for excellence. The architectural wonder features elegantly designed interiors with world-class amenities, versatile spaces for special events and business gatherings.

Fortified with a state-of-the-art venue for financial summits and global conferences, digital media facades surrounding the podium, FirstBank demonstrates dedication to empowering dreams and shaping the future of Africa’s financial landscape with the new headquarters.

As a symbol of its pledge to sustainable banking and business practices, the new HQ’s workspaces are designed for collaboration and productivity for visionaries and decision-makers who share the Bank’s commitment to sustainability and excellence.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, observed that banks can only prosper under a thriving economy. He maintained that banks are the engines of economic growth, and the government owes it to them to champion a system that guarantees sustainability and global competitiveness.

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Stressing that the government’s expectation is for Nigerian banks to excel, to expand beyond the country’s shores, and to earn their place among the world’s most viable and profitable enterprises, the president commended FirstBank for standing the test of time. He averred that the secret of the Bank’s steadfastness, legacy of innovation, and adaptability lies in the art of reinvention.

Incorporated in 1894 and headquartered in Marina, the heart of Lagos, FirstBank has become the premier bank in West Africa, as well as one of the most enduring banking brands in Africa. With sturdy roots in Nigeria, the Bank has taken on sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone. In 2002, it established FBNBank UK (now FirstBank UK), thus becoming the first Nigerian bank to wholly own a full-fledged bank in the United Kingdom 

Currently, it also has a presence in Beijing, China, and Paris, France. The Bank’s legacy of being woven into the fabric of society is built on the foundation of stability, resilience, relevance and solid commitment to delivering innovative and exceptional financial services and solutions to its customers and stakeholders.

For over 131 years, FirstBank has supported generations of families, businesses, government institutions and communities, and has played a key role in shaping the economic landscape of Nigeria and Africa. It has been a pillar of strength, innovation, and growth, driving Nigeria’s financial evolution, since 1894. A leader in trust, pioneering finance and banking excellence, FirstBank continues to shape Africa’s financial future.

According to Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, the Managing Director/ CEO of FirstBank, the new HQ is more than just the commencement of a construction project; it is a bold and, indeed, audacious declaration of ambition, excellence, and confidence in Nigeria’s economy and the future of the nation’s financial sector.

“For over 131 years, FirstBank has been at the heart of Nigeria’s economic evolution. From being the first commercial bank to have branches in the cities we know today as Kano, Zaria, Calabar, Lagos and Ibadan, FirstBank in 1947, advanced the first long-term loan to the then colonial government, thus demonstrating its unalloyed commitment to the nation’s development.

“In 1955, the Bank also partnered with the Federal Government to expand the railway lines in Nigeria thus deepening commerce across the nation through expansion of distribution channels. At Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, FirstBank advanced the first-ever loans to the citizens of the newly independent Nigeria, thus pioneering retail banking in Nigeria.”

He noted that the iconic institution has made impacts in supporting Nigeria and its citizens, especially the Federal Government in driving the nation’s economic growth through the creation of jobs, financing of projects for small and medium enterprises and large corporations across all sectors thereby lifting people out of poverty.

According to the Bank, the significance of the project extends beyond aesthetics. When completed, it will not only be the tallest building in Nigeria but a fortress of ideas, a reference for financial innovation, and a command center for economic excellence. It will embody what is possible when vision meets action, when institutions dare to dream, and are driven by execution.

With its strategic location in Eko Atlantic City, the edifice clearly reinforces Lagos state’s posture as a city that not only welcomes investment but fosters innovation and offers a business environment that meets international standards. Lagos State is indeed the financial hub of Nigeria! It is a reaffirmation of the institution’s commitment to setting new benchmarks in excellence, sustainability, and service.

The new HQ signifies more than just the construction of a building; it is the beginning of a new chapter in the Bank’s enduring legacy – a legacy that has stood the test of time for over 13 decades, evolving with the financial landscape of Nigeria, and continuously shaping the future of banking in the country and beyond.

FirstBank’s journey has been defined by resilience, adaptability, and an unshakable commitment to its customers. Today, it is more than just a bank; it is an institution with a proud heritage of trust and reliability, an institution that has played a pivotal role in empowering individuals, businesses, and industries across Africa.

Beyond its significance to FirstBank and its people, this project will contribute to the broader economic landscape of Lagos, Nigeria and Africa. It will promote urban development and reinforce Lagos as a global financial hub.

As the vintage financial institution put the first shovel in the ground, it did so with great optimism, knowing that the structure will stand as a beacon of its heritage and its commitment to a future of greater impact. May the landmark architectural wonder be the beginning of even greater milestones for FirstBank, Lagos State, Nigeria and the African content.

From the Bank of British West Africa to Standard Bank of West Africa and, finally, to the 131-year-old success story, FirstBank has remained a towering institution, outliving disruptions and redefining banking through the decades.

It has since 1894 evolved into a bank with well over seven hundred branches in Nigeria and worldwide.