FirstBank’s Corporate University, FirstAcademy, has clinched the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the 2025 Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards held in Paris, France.
The award recognises FirstAcademy’s commitment to promoting learning initiatives around social responsibility and environmental sustainability, aligning with internal stakeholder needs and advancing the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda.
Founder and chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, lauded the academy’s impact, saying, “FirstAcademy is an outstanding Corporate University that is clearly the Best Corporate University globally for driving social and climate change learning initiatives.”
Renaud-Coulon further noted, “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!”
FirstAcademy, launched in 2012, serves as FirstBank’s corporate learning hub for structured talent development, knowledge management and culture change. The academy is designed to equip staff with essential skills for the bank’s strategic goals while also contributing to broader social and environmental progress.
Reacting to the award, acting group head, marketing and corporate communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said the recognition underscores the bank’s philosophy of driving transformational impact.
“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,” she said.
Ijabiyi added that FirstAcademy’s initiatives have not only upskilled employees but also positively impacted the wider society and the environment.
The GlobalCCU Awards, established in 2013 in Paris, are held biennially to honour excellence among corporate universities worldwide. They celebrate institutions that create exceptional value for people, businesses, society and the planet.
This latest accolade adds to a long list of international recognitions FirstBank has received in 2024 and 2025, including awards for Best SME Bank in Africa and Nigeria, Best Corporate Bank in Nigeria and Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa.
Founded in 1894, FirstBank is West Africa’s premier financial institution with a presence across Africa, Europe and Asia.
It operates over 820 branches and 280,000 agent locations across 772 local government areas in Nigeria. Its digital channels boast more than 25 million active users, reaffirming its position as a pioneer in financial inclusion and digital banking on the continent.
