By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
FirstBank has been recognized as Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025 in London.
This is the bank’s second consecutive year of receiving this award. The awards acknowledge exceptional performance and impact in the financial industry, with FirstBank’s commitment to sustainability and responsible banking practices being key to its success.
The bank has made significant strides in integrating ESG considerations into its operations. In 2024, it assessed 237 transactions worth over ₦3 trillion for sustainability risks. FirstBank has also launched various initiatives, including a tree planting campaign with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), where over 30,000 trees were planted as part of a larger 50,000-tree project expected to sequester approximately 720 tonnes of CO₂ by the end of 2025.
FirstBank’s efforts in promoting gender inclusion are notable, with its Gender Market Strategy disbursing over ₦43 billion in FirstGem loans to women-led businesses in 2024. The bank’s inclusive banking initiatives have also seen transactions via FirstMonie agents exceed ₦9 trillion. To build ESG capacity, over 9,000 employees have been trained, and more than 2,000 SMEs and corporate clients have been reached through webinars and workshops.
The FirstBank Women Network supports leadership development among female employees, showing the bank’s commitment to diversity.
Patrick Akhidenor, Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee said, “We are honored to receive this prestigious award for the second consecutive year. It affirms our commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive future for all stakeholders. Our sustainability approach is anchored on three pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; and responsible lending, procurement, and climate initiatives.”
Patrick Akhidenor also emphasized the bank’s dedication to impactful initiatives and inclusive growth. He said, “We remain dedicated to impactful initiatives and inclusive growth, ensuring our ESG efforts continue to create meaningful change in communities across Nigeria and beyond.”
