FirstBank’s FirstAcademy Clinches Global Gold Award for Social and Climate Change Impact
FirstBank’s FirstAcademy Clinches Global Gold Award for Social and Climate Change Impact
LAGOS, June 24, 2025 – FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, West Africa’s premier financial inclusion services provider, has earned international recognition as its Corporate University, FirstAcademy, won the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social and Climate Change at the Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards 2025.
The prestigious honour, presented at this year’s ceremony in Paris, France, celebrates FirstAcademy’s outstanding efforts in aligning learning and development with social impact, sustainability, and climate action.
The GlobalCCU Awards, held biennially since 2013, recognises excellence in corporate universities worldwide, honouring institutions that create significant value for people, business, society, and the planet. FirstAcademy’s recognition highlights its innovative approach to corporate learning, which integrates environmental consciousness and social responsibility into its curriculum and operations.
“In a fast-changing world, FirstAcademy has remained a beacon of corporate learning that bridges business goals with social and environmental responsibility,” said Annick Renaud-Coulon, Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards. “It is a very mature Corporate University that clearly aligns with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development, backed by strong leadership and a governance model that connects learning to business priorities.”
Established in 2012, FirstAcademy serves as the Bank’s strategic platform for structured talent development, knowledge management, and culture transformation. Its mission is not only to empower staff with the skills to navigate a dynamic financial landscape but also to instil values that promote sustainability and inclusive growth.
Through its recent initiatives, FirstAcademy has expanded climate finance offerings, launched climate action capacity-building programs, and embedded climate change awareness into employee development tracks—all aimed at fostering a more responsible and future-ready workforce.
Reacting to the win, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said:
“We are honoured by this global recognition, which affirms our commitment to leveraging business as a force for good. FirstAcademy continues to promote social responsibility and climate action, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for all. This award validates the transformative impact of our learning programs—both within the Bank and in society at large.”
As FirstAcademy sets a new benchmark for corporate universities, it reinforces FirstBank’s leadership in shaping a purpose-driven business culture—one that champions climate resilience, social inclusion, and responsible growth.
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