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FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial inclusion services provider, has achieved global recognition. Its Corporate University, FirstAcademy, received the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the prestigious Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards 2025 held in Paris, France.
This international honour celebrates FirstAcademy’s exceptional commitment to integrating climate action, social responsibility, and sustainability-focused learning into its corporate training programs. It underscores the academy’s success in aligning learning and development strategies with FirstBank’s business goals and its broader impact on people, society, and the environment.
A Visionary Corporate Learning Model
Founded in 2012, FirstAcademy was established to drive structured talent development, strategic knowledge management, and a culture of sustainability across FirstBank. The academy equips employees with the skills and mindset required to thrive in a fast-evolving financial ecosystem while promoting ethical leadership and environmental stewardship.
The GlobalCCU jury, led by founder and chairman Annick Renaud-Coulon, praised FirstAcademy as an “outstanding Corporate University that demonstrates a clear alignment with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development.” She commended its strong leadership backing, robust governance, and strategic integration of climate action into learning delivery.
“Congratulations to FirstAcademy for setting a visionary standard in advancing meaningful social and climate change impact through inclusive corporate learning,” said Renaud-Coulon.
Empowering Change Through Learning
FirstAcademy’s award-winning initiatives include:
- Climate action capacity building programs
- Integration of sustainability in employee learning paths
- Support for climate finance solutions within the bank
- Community-focused learning for social impact
These initiatives have helped FirstBank strengthen its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profile and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s and Africa’s sustainable development goals.
A Milestone for African Banking
Speaking on the award, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, stated:
“We are thrilled to receive this international recognition, which reflects our deep commitment to using learning as a catalyst for social transformation and environmental progress. At FirstBank, we believe that sustainability and corporate success go hand-in-hand.”
The GlobalCCU Awards, held biennially since 2013, recognize excellence in corporate education worldwide, spotlighting institutions that drive measurable impact beyond profit.
With this recognition, FirstAcademy cements its position as a global model for socially-driven corporate education, reinforcing FirstBank’s reputation as a pioneer of responsible banking and climate-conscious leadership in Africa.
