Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has been awarded the gold prize for ‘Best Corporate University Culture’ at the 2025 Global Council of Corporate Universities Awards (GlobalCCU). The bank’s training institute, Purple Academy, was recognised at the Paris event on May 12, 2025

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he GlobalCCU Awards, held every two years, are considered a gold standard for corporate education, hosting the world’s most innovative and high-impact corporate universities.

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Nominees undergo a rigorous multi-phase evaluation by an international jury. The awards celebrate corporate universities demonstrating measurable value for people, business, society, and the planet.

For the 2025 edition, Wema Bank’s Purple Academy was shortlisted alongside leading global institutions, standing out for its transformative work in human capital development, strategic business alignment, and learning innovation.

This recognition coincides with Wema Bank’s 80th anniversary, reinforcing its legacy as a forward-thinking institution committed to its people, innovation, and redefining the future of work in Nigeria and beyond.

“This win is more than just a global recognition of our learning strategy as a bank; it’s a powerful validation of what we have stood for over the past 80 years,” said Moruf Oseni, Managing Director/CEO of Wema Bank.

“At Wema, our transformation has always started with our people. Purple Academy is one of our promises in motion to equip every member of our workforce with the tools to grow, lead, and innovate as we evolve and adapt to our environment.

To be globally recognised in this milestone year is a proud moment for us and everyone who has believed in our journey,” he concluded.

This win is more than just a global recognition of our learning strategy as a bank; it’s a powerful validation of what we have stood for over the past 80 years.

Annick Renaud-Coulon, Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, praised Purple Academy, stating, “Purple Academy is an outstanding Corporate University that is clearly the Best Corporate University Globally for driving a Learning Culture.

It is a Corporate University that transmits, respects and preserves the Wema Bank cultural heritage and effectively evolves it as a principle which drives efficient actions.

The diversity of its employees generates a high level of empathy among its stakeholders. The way it honours diversity and inclusion is brilliant to see and their leaders are so engaging when featured in internal videos.

They are not only representing a great company, but also the culture of their country in the best possible way.”

Launched in 2022, Wema Bank’s Purple Academy has become a beacon of learning excellence and innovation, empowering employees at every career stage.

The corporate university offers a dynamic blend of immersive learning experiences, personalised development paths, and forward-thinking content that addresses the evolving demands of work, life, and leadership.

Through structured programs across its five key schools—Culture, Leadership, Banking, Business, and the SME Business School—Purple Academy nurtures talent with a future-ready approach.

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From onboarding new hires through the Bankers-in-Training School to shaping high-impact leaders, the Academy invests in people, promotes growth, and fosters a vibrant workplace culture aligned with Wema Bank’s legacy of innovation and excellence.