City, Nigeria – FirstBank don show say dem serious about environmental matter as dem just bagged di title of Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at di Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025 wey happen recently for London. Dis one no be the first time o; na second consecutive time say dem carry dis award go home.
Di awards na big deal for di financial industry globally, and di selection process no dey easy at all. Dem dey analyze everything wey involve strategic and impact-focused metrics. FirstBank don work hard, shine dem eye for sustainability wey run through their operations and community matters.
For 2024, FirstBank check 237 transactions wey total reach more than ₦3 trillion, all in di name of sustainability. Dem even start tree planting project with Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), plant over 30,000 trees for 16 locations across di country. Na only di first round of di plan be this, dem gatz plant 50,000 trees wey go fit absorb plenty CO₂ by di end of 2025. Na wetin we go call environment-saving action, no be so?
But wait, no be only trees! FirstBank dey help women too through dem Gender Market Strategy. Dem don give out over ₦43 billion in loans to women-led businesses for 2024. This na serious business because e mean dem dey try to make banking equal for all, no be just men wey dey benefit.
Na so e be, di worth of transactions wey FirstMonie agents dey facilitate don reach over ₦9 trillion. With over 9000 employees trained for sustainability matters, dem dey prepare everybody for di big change wey dey come. Even di FirstBank Women Network dey push for leadership for female employees; yes o, women too dey lead di charge!
Patrick Akhidenor, di Chief Risk Officer wey also dey run di Sustainability Committee, talk say dis award be validation of their hard work and commitment to create sustainable future for all stakeholders. He talk say dem dey focus on three main areas: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; plus responsible lending.
“We go continue to dey push for impact through our initiatives and make sure say every community for Nigeria dey see di change wey dey happen,” Akhidenor add with pride. No be jujutsu, na research; di success wey FirstBank dey enjoy for ESG and sustainability na proof say dem dey lead with reason.
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