Nigeria’s premier financial institution, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank), has once again emerged as the Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the 2025 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, held recently in London.
This marks the second consecutive year FirstBank has been recognised in the ESG category, reaffirming its leadership and consistency in driving sustainability, inclusion, and responsible banking practices across Nigeria and beyond.
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades in the global financial sector, celebrating top-tier banks and financial institutions for performance, innovation, and leadership.
The rigorous selection process evaluates banks against measurable impact, strategic sustainability frameworks, and commitment to ESG goals.
FirstBank's latest recognition stems from a remarkable array of ESG initiatives and milestones.
In 2024 alone, the bank screened 237 transactions valued at over ₦3 trillion for sustainability risk, integrating ESG metrics directly into its credit and risk assessment frameworks.
This affirmed the bank’s pledge to financing not only growth, but growth that is ethical and environmentally conscious.
Among its standout environmental initiatives, FirstBank launched a tree planting campaign in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
The initiative has already resulted in 30,000 trees planted across 16 Nigerian locations, as part of a broader 50,000-tree target.
When completed, this effort is projected to absorb 720 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) by the end of 2025, contributing to Nigeria’s climate adaptation efforts and biodiversity preservation.
On the social front, the bank has actively promoted gender inclusion through its FirstGem loan programme, disbursing over ₦43 billion to women-led enterprises in 2024 alone.
This reflects a strong commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs and bridging gender gaps in access to finance.
The bank also continues to lead Nigeria’s financial inclusion push through its FirstMonie agent network, which facilitated transactions worth over ₦9 trillion in 2024.
With over 280,000 agents in 772 local government areas across Nigeria, FirstBank’s agent banking model remains a lifeline for underbanked communities.
FirstBank has also demonstrated a strong commitment to internal ESG capacity building.
Over 9,000 employees have undergone sustainability training, while more than 2,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and corporate clients have benefited from workshops and webinars focused on responsible business practices.
Additionally, the FirstBank Women Network, a platform dedicated to advancing the role of women in the organisation, has provided leadership opportunities for over 2,000 female employees.
The bank maintains a 41:59 female-to-male employee ratio, with 37% of women holding management positions, in alignment with global diversity standards and the UN Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
Speaking on the award, Patrick Akhidenor, FirstBank’s Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of its Sustainability Committee, said: “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award for the second time in a row. It validates our unwavering efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all our stakeholders.”
He added: “Our sustainability journey is anchored on three core pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; and responsible lending, procurement, and climate action.
“We remain committed to driving purpose-led impact and inclusive growth in every community we serve.”
With a legacy spanning over 130 years, FirstBank has cemented its status as a trusted financial partner with an international presence spanning Africa, Europe, and Asia. It boasts more than 43 million customer accounts and over 820 business locations.
In addition to its ESG accolade, FirstBank has swept several prestigious awards in 2024 and 2025, including:
Best SME Bank in Nigeria and Africa (2025) – The Asian Banker
Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa (2025) – Global Finance
Best Retail Bank in Nigeria (2025) – Global Economics Awards
SME Financier of the Year (2025) – The Digital Banker
The bank has also maintained A+ and stable outlooks in recent credit ratings from Global Credit Rating, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s—reaffirming its financial strength and robust corporate governance.
FirstBank’s consistent ESG wins reflect more than a strategic direction, they are a testament to its core belief in entrepreneurship, professionalism, innovation, and customer-centricity (EPIC).
As it continues to lead Nigeria’s transition toward sustainable banking and inclusive growth, FirstBank remains firm in its vision “To be Africa’s bank of first choice.”
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