FirstBank, the West Africa premier bank and financial inclusion services provider, has once again taken centre stage on the global map, as its learning hub, FirstAcademy, clinched the prestigious Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the 2025 Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards in Paris.
The recognition highlights FirstBank’s leadership in using education as a catalyst for driving social and climate change learning initiatives, aligning its learning and development programs 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.
According to the Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, “FirstAcademy is an outstanding Corporate University that is clearly the Best Corporate University globally for driving social and climate change learning initiatives.”
Established in 2012, FirstAcademy is the bank’s dedicated corporate university, equipping employees with future-forward skills while embedding environmental consciousness and social responsibility into its learning culture. Through initiatives like climate finance training, sustainability-focused leadership programs, and internal advocacy, the academy aligns learning with FirstBank’s broader vision of responsible banking.
In the words of Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, “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.”
As FirstBank’s FirstAcademy continues to bridge the gap between corporate initiatives and community needs, it sets a leading example for corporate universities around the globe, inspiring others to follow suit in the quest for meaningful change.
