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Tag: First Bank

  • First Bank launches all-round digital centre at BUK

    First Bank launches all-round digital centre at BUK

    First Bank of Nigeria yesterday launched a state-of-the-art Digital Xperience Centre at Bayero University Kano (BUK), offering 24/7 automated banking services.

    The centre provides services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, and payment transactions through advanced ATMs without human assistance.

    The bank’s Group Head of Branch Operations and Services, Mrs. Abimbola Kunle Ajayi, said the centre showcases the bank’s digital transformation and makes banking more convenient for customers.

    The centre, the second in Northern Nigeria, offers a platform for customers to independently perform transactions in a friendly environment.

    Mrs. Ajayi said the centre’s efficiency was demonstrated during the commissioning when the Deputy Vice-Chancellor successfully carried out a transfer and the Students’ Union President created an ATM card.

    The Managing Director/CEO of First Bank Group,  Olusegun Alebiosu, has described the bank’s new digital centre as a strategic step towards creating a “digital-first” experience for customers.

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    Alebiosu said the centre would revolutionize banking, expand access to financial services, and provide seamless, secure, and round-the-clock access to financial services.

    He emphasized that the bank’s transformation agenda is anchored on leveraging technology to simplify transactions and enhance accessibility, noting that the future of banking is digital.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, represented by Prof. Amina Mustapha, thanked FirstBank for the initiative and urged the university community to utilize and take care of the facility.

    Bank customers who spoke after performing transactions expressed satisfaction with the centre’s efficiency.

    Dauda Yusuf welcomed the digital centre, saying it would solve the problem of having to travel to town for banking transactions.

  • First Bank mulls tailored financial services for blind, physically challenged customers

    First Bank mulls tailored financial services for blind, physically challenged customers

    First Bank is set to introduce tailored financial services for the blind, partially sighted, and physically challenged customers across its operations.

    The bank said in a statement by its Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Olayinka Ijabiyi, that this initiative is part of its broader continuous commitment to promoting financial Inclusion and diversity, which is shown in its policies, partnerships and initiatives, such as its employees’ ratio of female to male (about 41%:59%; and 37% women in management roles) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation. 

    In addition, the bank’s membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Women’s Women Empowerment’s Principles (WEPs) ─ Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.

    Commenting on the proposed launch, the Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor, said: “Everyone deserves access to financial services whether physically or digitally. We recognise this, and we are providing financial services that are both accessible and affordable to visually impaired and physically challenged customers at all our touchpoints. We are making it possible for them to manage their accounts independently and securely.”

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    The initiative will be implemented in phases across all subsidiaries and locations of the FirstBank Group. Transaction documents will be made available in braille, audio, large print, and digital formats.

    According to a statement, ATMs will be upgraded with high-contrast screens and voice-prompt commands, while cards issued will feature tactile motifs and braille inscriptions for easy recognition. Already existing soft PINs and tokens would be enhanced to boost secure access to banking channels.

    Product brochures will also be made available in braille and audio formats to support customer understanding and engagement.

    FirstBank’s efforts align with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which advocate equal access to financial services.

    With this initiative, Ijabiyi said, FirstBank is shaping a future where every individual, regardless of physical ability, can manage their financial affairs without third-party assistance. By embedding accessibility into its core operations, the Bank is setting a new standard for ethical, inclusive, and impactful banking.

  • First Bank battle Dolphins in Zenith Bank/NBBF Women B’ball League final

    First Bank battle Dolphins in Zenith Bank/NBBF Women B’ball League final

    It is going to be a battle of two former winners of the Zenith Bank/NBBF Women Basketball League after record winner of the league, First Bank, defeated defending champions, MFM Women Basketball team, in one of the semifinals of this year’s tournament.

    Despite trailing in three of the four quarters, the nine-time league winner overcame MFM’s attack to secure their passage to the final and a step closer to winning a record 10 titles.

    It was a difficult game for First Bank, their experience however counted in the 4th quarter as they defended their lead while running down the time to win the game 47-45 points.

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    Earlier in the day, Dolphins also defeated Royal Aces 66-54 points to seal a date with First Bank in the final taking place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Surulere Lagos.

    To get to the final, both First Bank and Dolphins won all their matches in the group stage, before eliminating their opponent in the finals, and with the two sides unbeaten, it promises to be an interesting final.

    The final, taking place today, September 20, will see MFM taking on Royal Aces in the third-place game at 2 pm, followed immediately by the 4 pm game between First Bank and Dolphins.

    The winner of this year’s tournament will take home a whopping prize money of N7.5m while the second place team win N5m for their efforts. The third place team will go home with winning prize of N3m.

    Other individual awards will see the MVP, best guard and the rest winning N500,000 each.

  • First bank plans conference on non-oil exports

    First bank plans conference on non-oil exports

    FirstBank has  announced its  2025  FirstBank Agric and Export Conference  to boost the growth of the non oil sector.

    Themed “The Fundamentals of Building a Non-Oil Export Driven Economy“,  the conference will take place on Tuesday, August 19, at the Eko Convention Centre.

    The FirstBank Agric and Export Conference, the bank  aims to keep Nigerians abreast of emerging trends in the agricultural and non- oil export sector, whilst providing them insights into how innovative solutions can contribute to the overall development of the economy, and the nation at large.

    The bank said the conference will adopt a hybrid format, allowing most participants to join virtually while principal stakeholders attend in person. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore exhibition booths featuring major organisations and associations from industry.

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    Expected guest speakers include the Minister of Agriculture & Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari as the keynote speaker while the plenary and technical sessions will feature  the Managing Director,  Bank of Agriculture (BOA),Ayodeji Sotinrin; Mr. Jafar Abubakar Umar;  Managing Director/Chief Execut Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Abba Bello; Executive Secretary, National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Nigeria, Mr. Segun Awolowo;  President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Architect Kabir Ibrahim, Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Nonye Ayeni among others.

    Speaking on the Conference,  Managing Director, FirstBank Group,Olusegun Alebiosu, stated, “The FirstBank Agric and Export Conference is a strategic platform for stakeholders to converge, share knowledge, and drive strategies that can unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and non-oil export industry. Through this platform, FirstBank is empowering customers and stakeholders by providing them with actionable insights, innovative solutions, and valuable connections that can help them navigate the complexities of the agricultural and nonoil export sectors. In addition, we aim to deliver tangible benefits to our customers, enhance their business prospects, and create lasting value for our stakeholders, while contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy.”

  • Obasanjo lauds First Bank’s commitment to OBJ Golf Tournament

    Obasanjo lauds First Bank’s commitment to OBJ Golf Tournament

    Handicap 3 golfer Augustine Friday Nabueze led from start to finish to win the seventh edition of First Bank of Nigeria Limited sponsored OBJ Golf Tournament at the Abeokuta Golf Club, Ogun State. 

    Playing off handicap 3, Nabueze grossed 76 for 73-net score to defeat a field of 134-golfers in the event put together to honour former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, even as the event’s sponsors, First Bank pledge its continuous support for the competition. 

    The golf playing CEO,  Olusegun Alebiosu speaking in a chat with newsmen said the continuous    sponsorship of OBJ golf tournament is sacrosanct as its in line with the Banks commitment to supporting any sporting initiative that bring Nigerians together. 

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    “At First Bank, we appreciate sports as part of our own strategy of reaching across the society and that is line with our theme of being woven into the fabric of the society. And sport, like the OBJ Golf tournament is a good way of bringing people together,’ he said,

    He added that OBJ Golf tournament will enjoy the same commitment that Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship and the Georgian Cup in Kaduna enjoys.

    Reacting to the Banks gesture, former President, Obasanjo, a renowned squash player said First Bank’s consistent sponsorship has broken his resistance to the game saying it’s now time for him to take to the game of golf.

    “First Bank consistent sponsorships of this tournament in my honour have finally broken my resistance to golf and I have therefore decided to join league golf players”, Obasanjo said.

  • Cybercrime: FBN invests N15b in five months to protect system

    Cybercrime: FBN invests N15b in five months to protect system

    First Bank HoldCo Plc says it has spent more than N15 billion to protect its systems against criminals between January and June.

    Olusegun Alebiosu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), First Bank HoldCo Plc, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Alebiosu, who spoke to NAN on the sideline of a two-day National Seminar on Banking and Allied Matters for Judges, said the Bank had spent three N3 billion in June to protect its systems.

    He said the bank had the best cyber security framework in the country, hence the investment.

    The CEO who was speaking on the increasing number of attacks by cybercriminals, especially on banks’ systems, assured First Bank customers of the safety of their monies.

    Alebiosu frowned at the rate at which some citizens were involved in cybercrimes, saying the country must move fast to curb their excesses.

    “No customer would lose their money in First Bank unjustly.

     If their money is missing in First Bank, First Bank will pay back. Before I joined First Bank, I have an account with First Bank.

    “One of the reasons why I had an account with First Bank was, I said to myself, if my money is missing, it is the only bank I know I will collect my money without any excuses, ” he said.

    Reacting to some customers’ complaints on the delay by the bank to handle cases of fraudulent transactions, Alebiosu said the bank must conduct investigations involving different stakeholders.

    The CEO said the delay was caused by the collaboration between the stakeholders involving security agencies and banks where the money was transferred to determine the realities about the cases.

    He urged customers to tread carefully in handling and releasing their financial information.

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    “Customers themselves, most times, also compromise their own security details; I have seen a lot of people that give their cards to somebody to help them withdraw money from their ATM.

    “They compromise their password so, when something happens and you say, my money disappeared, you forget the day you gave your card to someone else and they can use that to transfer your money.

    “Some people compromise even their own ID on the system carelessly, some give their Bank Verification Number (BVN) and they use it against them.

    “Now, why does it take time for the bank to react, everything you give to the bank, the bank has to investigate it.

    “The money might have gone to other banks so, you start tracking from other banks but sometimes customers are impatient,” he said.

    On frauds allegedly perpetrated by staff, he said the bank had internal employee fraud software, that monitors activities of employees on the system.

    According to him, if you know how many of our staff we sack on a monthly basis, you won’t believe me.

    ”So if there are triggers, people will be involved. It is for us to run faster than them, and see how we can help to stop these kinds of things in our system but wherever we see it, we deal with it decisively, ” Alebiosu said.

    He said that various stakeholders including the banks, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary had a role to play in curbing cybercrimes.

  • First Bank partners Abeokuta Golf Club for OBJ tourney

    First Bank partners Abeokuta Golf Club for OBJ tourney

    First Bank of Nigeria Limited has confirmed its sponsorship of the seventh edition of OBJ Golf Tournament, scheduled to hold at Abeokuta golf club on Saturday, June 14th, 2025.

    Put together in honour of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for his laudable roles in socio-economic and political development of the country, the Bank says the sponsorship is a proof of its unwavering commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria under its First@Sports initiative.

    The event which is already generating lots of interests within the golf community is one of the most regular golf tournaments in the club.

    As preparations for the event gathers momentum, Captain of the Club, Sunday Ajiboye says all necessary arrangements at making sure the event goes as planned has been put in place while promising a fun filled atmosphere during the event. 

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    “This auspicious event is where golfing stars are made and the game enjoyed to its fullest. We promised unparallel experience, making this edition the best yet”, Ajiboye said. 

    Over the years, First Bank has been a driving force in the promotion of sports in the country, and this is evident in its legacy sports initiative, which includes Golf, Polo and Tennis.

    The famous Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championships which has been sponsored for well over 63-years is a testimony to the Banks dedication to the development of golf in Nigeria. 

    The OBJ Golf tournament which debuted in 2015 has run for seven years with First Bank providing the funding.

    Organized by Abeokuta Golf Club, 2025 OBJ Golf Tournament will feature Professional and amateur golfers drawn from across the country.

  • First Bank backs National Sports Festival

    First Bank backs National Sports Festival

    As part of its nation-building and developing sporting talents initiative across the country, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has thrown its weight behind the 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) taking place in various sporting centers in Ogun State.

    The games, which kicked off yesterday and to come to an end on May 30, 2025, will feature over 15,000 athletes drawn from across the country competing in both individual and team sports.

    Regarded as Nigeria’s version of the Olympic Games, the multi-sport event offers a total of 2,150 medals in 549 events.

    First Bank, one of the event’s sponsors, has consistently demonstrated through its First@Sports initiative its commitment to nation building and developing sporting talents while supporting legacy sports such as Polo, Golf , and Tennis.

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    By sponsoring the 2024 NSF, the bank has demonstrated its resolve to continually promote worthy initiatives.

    The National Sports Festival, a biennial multi-sports event, brings together thousands of athletes from Nigeria’s 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

    Endorsed by the National Sports Commission (NSC), The Gateway Games 2024 will focus on Football, Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball, and other games. The festival is expected to unite the youths, foster regional harmony, discover talents, and build in them a sense of national pride.

    A major new feature of NSF 2024 is the introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes category. This will allow junior athletes to compete alongside more experienced athletes, offering them an opportunity to exhibit their talent on a national stage.

  • Court dismisses First Bank’s applications in suit against GHL

    Court dismisses First Bank’s applications in suit against GHL

    The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed three motions on notice by First Bank of Nigeria Limited against General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL).

    Other respondents in the suit numbered FHC/PH/CS/02/2025 are the Cargo of Crude Oil on Board FPSO Tamara Tokoni, Owners/Operators of the FPSO Tamara Tokoni and the Master.

    Justice E. A. Obile ruled on an application by First Bank, through its counsel, E. C. Unachukwu.

    The judge ordered: “That the application to withdraw Motions on Notice dated and filed 25th March, 2025; dated and filed on 28th March 2025 and dated and filed on 2nd April, 2025 is granted as prayed.

    “That the applications are hereby dismissed accordingly.

    “That Deputy Chief Registrar/Admiralty Marshall is directed to serve parties who apply for the orders of the court with same, including the instant order.

    “That the application for costs is refused.”

    The order was made on April 29.

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    Justice Obile had in March dismissed First Bank’s suit against GHL on the grounds that the court was bereft of the requisite jurisdiction to entertain it.

    He upheld the arguments of counsel to GHL, Dr ‘Biodun Layonu (SAN), and GHL’s notice of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

    It dismissed the entire suit as an abuse of the court process and a breach of the orders of Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, made on December 12, 2024, in suit FHC/L/CS/1953/2024.

    The court held that First Bank conceded in paragraphs 18 and 19 of its counter-affidavit opposing the defendants’ notice of preliminary objection that the order made by Justice Lewis-Allagoa restrained it from enforcing any receivables arising from the facility agreement entered into by the parties.

    The court further held that the plaintiff’s attempt to distinguish the instant suit from the one numbered FHC/L/CS/1953/2024 could not stand.

    It maintained that every subsequent agreement entered into by the parties was pursuant to the legally enforceable Memorandum of Understanding between GHL and FBN.

    The court consequently held that by the instant suit, First Bank approached the court to do the very act that Justice Lewis-Allagoa had restricted it from doing, and as such, the suit was a classic case of abuse of court process, and consequently dismissed the suit.

    The court also upheld the argument of GHL that the ex-parte orders of January 9 had lapsed by operation of law.

    These are: “An order to arrest and/or attach or lien the entire cargo of crude oil on board the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (“FPSO”) vessel Tamara Tokoni;

    “An order directing the officers of the Nigerian Navy, NUPRC, NIMASA, Harbour Master of the Nigeria Ports Authority to render necessary assistance to the Admiralty Marshall of the Court in giving effect to the order of arrest made in (a) above.”

    The court held that the orders had lapsed automatically by effluxion of time and consequently set them aside.

  • GHL: we floored First Bank in court

    GHL: we floored First Bank in court

    The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed the suit filed against General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) by First Bank of Nigeria (FBN).

    Justice E. A. Obile dismissed the entire suit on the grounds that the court was bereft of requisite jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    He upheld the arguments of counsel to GHL, Dr ‘Biodun Layonu (SAN).

    In dismissing the case, the court upheld GHL’s notice of preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

    It dismissed the entire suit for being an abuse of the court process and a breach of the orders of Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa made on December 12, 2024, in suit FHC/L/CS/1953/2024.

    The court held that First Bank conceded in paragraphs 18 and 19 of its counter affidavit opposing the defendants’ notice of preliminary objection that the order made by Justice Lewis-Allagoa restrained it from enforcing any receivables arising from the facility agreement entered into by the parties.

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    The court further held that the plaintiff’s attempt to distinguish the instant suit from the one numbered FHC/L/CS/1953/2024 could not stand,

    It maintained that every subsequent agreement entered into by the parties was pursuant to the legally enforceable Memorandum of Understanding between GHL and FBN which was breached repeatedly by FBN.

    The court consequently held that by the instant suit, First Bank approached the court to do the very act that Justice Lewis-Allagoa had restricted it from doing, and as such, the suit was a classic case of abuse of court process, and consequently dismissed the suit.

    The court also upheld the argument of GHL that the ex-parte orders of January 9 had lapsed by operation of law.

    These are: “An order to arrest and/or attach or lien the entire cargo of crude oil on board the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (“FPSO”) vessel Tamara Tokoni;

    “An order directing the officers of the Nigerian Navy, NUPRC, NIMASA, Harbour Master of the Nigeria Ports Authority to render necessary assistance to the Admiralty Marshall of the Court in giving effect to the order of arrest made in (a) above.”

    The court held that the orders had lapsed automatically by effluxion of time and consequently set them aside.

    GHL said this has now paved the way for an unhindered arbitration at the Lagos Court of Arbitration where it is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for alleged multiple breaches of FBN’s obligations.