FirstBank of Nigeria has been named Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at the 2025 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, held in London.
This marks the second consecutive year the bank is receiving the prestigious honour, solidifying its position as a pioneer in sustainable finance and responsible banking.
The Euromoney Awards are regarded as a benchmark for excellence within the global financial sector, with winners selected through a meticulous process that evaluates both strategy and measurable impact.
FirstBank clinched the award based on its strong performance in 2024, during which it screened 237 transactions worth over N3 trillion for ESG risks, demonstrating its integration of sustainability into credit decisions.
The bank also launched a landmark tree-planting initiative in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), planting over 30,000 trees in 16 locations as part of its larger 50,000-tree plan aimed at absorbing an estimated 720 tonnes of CO₂ by the end of 2025.
In addition to environmental action, the bank made strides in social impact and governance.
Its FirstGem loan scheme disbursed more than N43 billion to women-led businesses in 2024, while its FirstMonie agents facilitated transactions valued at over N9 trillion, boosting financial inclusion nationwide.
Patrick Akhidenor, FirstBank’s chief risk officer and chairman of the sustainability committee, commented on the award, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award for the second time in a row, which is a validation of our efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all our stakeholders. Our approach to sustainability is hinged on three pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; responsible lending, procurement and climate initiatives.”
The bank has invested heavily in ESG awareness and capacity building, training over 9,000 employees and engaging more than 2,000 SMEs and corporates through webinars and workshops.
Its women network also supports over 2,000 female employees with leadership development opportunities.
FirstBank’s continuous recognition on the global stage underscores its vision to become Africa’s bank of first choice, driven by responsibility, innovation and impact.
