FirstAcademy wins global award for social, climate change learning

FirstAcademy wins global award in social and climate change learning, earning global recognition for FirstBank’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and social responsibility

FirstBank, West Africa’s premier banking institution and financial inclusion pioneer, has announced that its Corporate University, FirstAcademy, has received the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the 2025 Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards.

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Held in Paris, France, the prestigious ceremony celebrates excellence in corporate learning.

The award highlights FirstAcademy’s remarkable work in embedding social and environmental learning into its core programmes, aligning talent development with sustainability, and promoting corporate social responsibility across the organisation.

“FirstAcademy is a very mature Corporate University which demonstrates a strong alignment with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development,” said Annick Renaud-Coulon, Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards.

“This is with clear support from senior leadership and a governance model that connects learning to business priorities. Congratulations to FirstAcademy for setting a visionary standard in advancing meaningful social and climate change impact.”

The award recognises FirstAcademy’s successful integration of climate action into its training portfolio, expansion of climate finance education, and development of capacity-building programmes targeting both internal staff and the broader community.

Speaking on the achievement, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, noted, “We are delighted to receive this international recognition for our efforts in promoting social responsibility and climate action. This award is a testament to our belief that business can be a force for good—driving transformation that extends beyond profit to create sustainable futures for all.”

FirstAcademy is a very mature Corporate University which demonstrates a strong alignment with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development.

FirstAcademy, inaugurated in 2012, serves as FirstBank’s centre for structured talent development, knowledge management, and cultural transformation.

It equips employees with relevant skills to meet evolving industry demands while advancing environmental and social goals.

In recent years, FirstAcademy has moved beyond conventional corporate training to deliver learning initiatives that address real-world issues like climate change, inclusive growth, and environmental justice.

The academy also actively contributes to policy dialogue and innovation within the integrated marketing communication and finance ecosystem.

With over 130 years of history, FirstBank continues to solidify its legacy through impactful initiatives such as FirstAcademy.

The bank’s forward-looking strategy is anchored in values of entrepreneurship, professionalism, innovation, and customer-centricity, positioning it as a leader in Africa’s sustainable financial services sector.

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The latest win adds to FirstBank’s long list of international accolades in 2025, including Best SME Bank in Africa, Best Private Bank in Nigeria, and Best Bank for Empowering Women Entrepreneurs.