FirstAcademy honoured as best corporate university

First Bank has announced that its corporate university, FirstAcademy, has been awarded the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards 2025.

This highly acclaimed award recognises FirstAcademy’s outstanding commitment to driving social and climate change learning initiatives, aligning its learning and development programmes with internal stakeholder needs, and promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The GlobalCCU Awards is a prestigious, biannual recognition of excellence in corporate universities, setting the highest standard for the industry.

With a rich 12-year history dating back to its inaugural ceremony in Paris in 2013, the awards have consistently honoured outstanding corporate universities, learning and development structures worldwide. The GlobalCCU Awards celebrate institutions that create remarkable value for people, businesses, society and the planet.

Speaking in a statement on Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, said: “FirstAcademy is an outstanding Corporate University that is clearly the Best Corporate University globally for driving social and climate change learning initiatives.”

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Congratulating FirstAcademy, the Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, said: “FirstAcademy is a very mature Corporate University which demonstrates a strong alignment with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development, with clear support from senior leadership and a governance model that strategically connects learning to business priorities. Congratulations to FirstAcademy for setting a visionary standard in advancing meaningful social and climate change impact through learning and inclusive capacity building!”

The Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, stated: “We are delighted to receive this international recognition for our efforts in promoting social responsibility and climate action.

“This award serves as a testament to our belief that businesses can be a force for good, driving transformation that extends beyond profit to create sustainable and equitable futures for all.  FirstAcademy’s programs have not only enhanced employee skills but also contributed to the well-being of society and the environment.”

The Star