FirstBank clinched Nigeria’s Best Bank for ESG Award at 2025 Euromoney Excellence Awards.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and a leader in financial inclusion, has once again been named Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the 2025 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, held recently in London. This marks the bank’s second consecutive win in the ESG category, reinforcing its position as a frontrunner in sustainable and responsible banking.
Recognized globally as one of the most prestigious accolades in the financial industry, the Euromoney Awards for Excellence involve a rigorous selection process, benchmarking institutions against strategic performance and impact-driven outcomes.
FirstBank earned the distinction through its comprehensive integration of sustainability principles into both its operations and social impact programs. In 2024, the bank conducted ESG risk assessments on 237 transactions valued at over ₦3 trillion, embedding environmental and social considerations into its lending and investment decisions.
Among its flagship sustainability efforts is a nationwide tree-planting initiative launched in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). So far, over 30,000 trees have been planted across 16 Nigerian locations, representing the first phase of a 50,000-tree campaign aimed at absorbing approximately 720 tonnes of CO₂ by the end of 2025.
FirstBank has also demonstrated strong commitment to gender empowerment. Through its FirstGem initiative, over ₦43 billion in loans were disbursed to women-led businesses in 2024. Additionally, the Bank’s FirstMonie agent network facilitated transactions exceeding ₦9 trillion, expanding access to financial services nationwide.
Capacity-building remains central to the Bank’s ESG strategy. Over 9,000 staff members have received sustainability training, while more than 2,000 SMEs and corporate clients participated in its ESG-focused workshops and webinars. Furthermore, the FirstBank Women Network continues to promote female leadership, reaching over 2,000 women employees across the organization.
Patrick Akhidenor, Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the Bank’s Sustainability Committee, commented on the achievement:
“We are honored to receive this recognition for the second year running. It reaffirms our dedication to fostering an inclusive and sustainable future for all stakeholders. Our ESG approach is anchored on three key pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; and responsible lending, procurement, and climate action.”
He added: “Our focus remains on creating meaningful, lasting impact through purpose-driven initiatives that benefit communities across Nigeria and beyond.”
This latest achievement underscores FirstBank’s enduring commitment to its vision of being Africa’s Bank of First Choice, driven by purpose, innovation, and social responsibility.