FirstBank’s corporate learning arm, FirstAcademy, has been awarded the Gold Prize for Best Corporate University in Social and Climate Change Impact at the 2025 GlobalCCU Awards in Paris. The award recognizes organizations whose internal academies align learning and development with meaningful contributions to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
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Established in 2012, FirstAcademy has evolved into a strategic driver of FirstBank’s commitment to responsible banking. The academy integrates sustainability principles across all levels of training, supporting the bank’s transition to green finance and climate risk-conscious operations. Its curriculum covers a broad spectrum of topics including climate risk assessment, social impact strategies, and inclusive finance, helping staff embed sustainability practices directly into their daily work.
The recognition by the Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) highlights FirstAcademy’s ability to tie corporate learning with tangible environmental outcomes. The academy’s programs have contributed to building internal capacity in areas such as climate finance and social impact evaluation, while also promoting cultural transformation within the bank.
Underpinned by a governance model that links learning outcomes to business performance and sustainability goals, FirstAcademy plays a central role in positioning FirstBank as a leader in responsible corporate practice across West Africa. Its initiatives have supported FirstBank’s growing portfolio in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments, further cementing the bank’s reputation as a sustainability-focused financial institution.
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This latest accolade follows a string of ESG recognitions for the bank, including the 2024 Euromoney Award for Nigeria’s Best Bank in ESG Investments. Looking ahead, FirstAcademy is expected to deepen its climate-related offerings by expanding training on green product innovation, sustainability reporting, and regulatory compliance.
As Nigeria moves toward a low-carbon economy, FirstBank’s emphasis on education-driven sustainability signals a broader shift in the financial sector, where learning is not just a support function, but a catalyst for responsible transformation.
