By Atoyebi Nike
FirstBank has 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, reaffirming its status as a leader in sustainable finance and responsible banking in Nigeria.
The award, one of the most respected in the global financial sector, is based on a rigorous evaluation of banks’ performance, strategy, and social impact. FirstBank stood out for integrating ESG principles across its credit systems, operations, and community development efforts.
In 2024 alone, the bank assessed 237 transactions worth over ₦3 trillion for sustainability risks and launched several impactful initiatives. Notably, it partnered with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation to plant 30,000 trees across 16 locations in the first phase of a 50,000-tree project. The effort is expected to absorb 720 tonnes of carbon dioxide by the end of 2025.
FirstBank also advanced gender inclusion by disbursing over ₦43 billion in FirstGem loans to women-led businesses. Through its FirstMonie agent network, it facilitated over ₦9 trillion in financial transactions, strengthening access to inclusive banking nationwide.
