FirstBank’s academy gets global recognition

FirstAcademy, the training school of FirstBank, has been awarded the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the Global Council of Corporate Universities Awards 2025.

According to the bank, the award, which was received by the bank in Paris, France, 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.

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

FirstAcademy was inaugurated in 2012 as the bank’s designated corporate academy designed to provide structured talent development, knowledge management and culture change initiatives. A major objective of the academy is to equip staff with the requisite knowledge and skills required to deliver on the bank’s strategic aspirations and to thrive in an ever-evolving work environment while contributing to social and environmental responsibility.

Speaking on FirstAcademy, the founder/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.

“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!”

Commenting on the award, the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said, “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 programmes have not only enhanced employee skills but also contributed to the well-being of society and the environment.”