FirstBank has emerged as Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.
FirstBank bagged the award at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence held recently in London, the United Kingdom.
This marks FirstBank’s second consecutive win in the ESG category.
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence are regarded as one of the most coveted accolades in the global financial industry. The highly competitive selection process involves rigorous analysis and assessment, measuring performance against strategic and impact-oriented criteria.
Speaking on the award via a statement issued on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor said: “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.
First Bank digital loans hit N1trn, disburses N1bn daily
“We remain focused on driving impact through purposeful initiatives and inclusive growth, ensuring that our ESG efforts continue to create meaningful change in communities across Nigeria and beyond.”
The statement further said the bank earned the award through its deepened sustainability commitments embedded across its operations and community initiatives.
In 2024, FirstBank screened 237 transactions worth over N3 trillion for sustainability risks, integrating ESG considerations into its credit framework.
Among its flagship sustainability initiatives, FirstBank commenced a tree planting campaign in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), planting over 30,000 trees in 16 locations across Nigeria.
This was the first phase of its 50,000-tree initiative, projected to absorb approximately 720 tonnes of CO₂ by the end of 2025, contributing to climate resilience and supporting biodiversity preservation.
FirstBank has been proactive in gender inclusion through the Gender Market Strategy, disbursing over N43 billion FirstGem loans to women-led businesses in 2024. The bank’s commitment to inclusive banking saw a significant increase in the worth of transactions facilitated by FirstMonie agents to over N9 trillion.
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