First Bank once again blazes the trail on several fronts, one of which is the recent Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social and Climate Change at the Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards 2025 while it unveils FirstMobile, an advanced facial biometric technology on its mobile banking application with exciting features
By Edu Abade
FirstBank, the West Africa premier bank and financial inclusion services provider, has announced that its Corporate University, FirstAcademy, has been bestowed with the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social and Climate Change at the Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards 2025.
The award recognises FirstAcademy’s outstanding commitment to driving social and climate change learning initiatives, aligning its learning and development programs with internal stakeholder needs, and promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The GlobalCCU Awards is a prestigious, biannual recognition of excellence in corporate universities, setting the highest standard for the industry. With a rich 12-year history dating back to its inaugural ceremony in Paris, France in 2013, the awards have consistently honoured outstanding corporate universities, learning and development structures worldwide. The GlobalCCU Awards celebrate institutions that create remarkable value for people, businesses, society and the planet.
FirstBank’s FirstAcademy exemplifies this mission by earning the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the 2025 ceremony in Paris, France. This distinction reflects FirstAcademy’s dedication to fostering sustainability and environmental responsibility; developing impactful learning initiatives that transcends traditional corporate training, with broader societal goals; integrating climate action into its portfolio and operations; expanding climate finance offerings and developing a climate action capacity building training program.
FirstAcademy was inaugurated in 2012 as the Bank’s designated corporate academy designed to provide structured talent development, knowledge management and culture change initiatives. One major objective of the academy is to equip staff with the requisite knowledge and skills required to deliver on the Bank’s strategic aspirations and to thrive in an ever-evolving work environment while contributing to social and environmental responsibility.
According to the Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, “FirstAcademy is an outstanding Corporate University that is clearly the Best Corporate University globally for driving social and climate change learning initiatives.”
Congratulating FirstAcademy, Founder and Chairman of GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, said, “FirstAcademy is a very mature Corporate University which demonstrates a strong alignment with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development, with clear support from senior leadership and a governance model that strategically connects learning to business priorities. Congratulations to FirstAcademy for setting a visionary standard in advancing meaningful social and climate change impact through learning and inclusive capacity building!”
Responding to the award, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank Olayinka Ijabiyi said, “We are delighted to receive this international recognition for our efforts in promoting social responsibility and climate action.
“This award serves as a testament to our belief that businesses can be a force for good, driving transformation that extends beyond profit to create sustainable and equitable futures for all. FirstAcademy’s programmes have not only enhanced employee skills but also contributed to the well-being of society and the environment.”
As FirstBank’s FirstAcademy continues to bridge the gap between corporate initiatives and community needs, it sets a leading example for corporate universities around the globe, inspiring others to follow suit in the quest for meaningful change.
Meanwhile, FirstBank has launched an advanced facial biometric technology on its mobile banking application-FirstMobile, along with other exciting features that includes: Facial recognition sign-up and activation, Virtual credit cards for secure online shopping, Instant credit card activation, flexible salary advances with three-month repayment options and general improvements and bug fixes.
These upgrades all aim to provide customers with a seamless, secure, and efficient digital banking experience. The new facial biometric feature enables users to activate or register on FirstBank’s mobile app- FirstMobile securely, using facial verification. This feature also includes an advanced anti-spoof detection, to enhance customer account protection and ensure robust security.
This innovative solution effectively addresses the diverse needs of customers, including new customers, diaspora customers without cards, individuals with lost or expired cards, those who have opted out of card use, as well as customers facing card verification failures or lacking convenient access to card details. This feature will provide seamless access to essential banking services, such as fund transfers and bill payments ensuring swift, reliable, and convenient transaction processing for all users.
The newly enhanced FirstBank mobile banking platform, FirstMobile, offers a comprehensive array of features and services designed to provide our customers with a seamless and innovative digital banking experience, no matter where they are in the world. With these substantial improvements, users can easily sign up and activate the app using just their face. They can shop online securely with a virtual credit card that is instantly issued and always accessible within the app.
Additionally, customers can activate their new credit card directly from the app to start spending immediately. They also have the option to access salary advances with a convenient 3-month repayment plan.
Group Executive, E-Business and Retail Products Division, FirstBank, Chukwuma Ezirim, said, “With these new services now live on FirstMobile, we are confident we will undoubtedly enhance our customers’ digital experience.
“FirstBank is committed to innovative ways of delighting our customers so that they can carry out their transactions with no stress and with utmost convenience. We understand the importance of keeping up with the evolving digital landscape, and we are dedicated to providing our customers with cutting-edge solutions that make banking simpler, faster and more accessible. Our goal is to ensure that every interaction with FirstBank enhances customer satisfaction and builds long-lasting relationships.”
To deliver on its promise of gold-standard banking services, FirstBank remains committed to advanced innovative solutions and robust secure security measures, to protect customer data and empower them to transact effortlessly and manage their finances effectively.
