The official opening ceremony, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, is expected to attract senior government officials and regulators from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, continental business leaders, and members of the diplomatic community, highlighting the strategic economic ties and investment opportunities between the two markets.

The new subsidiary, licensed in December 2025 by the Ministry of Finance and Budget, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, will commence operations from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan.

The launch represents a strategic move to deepen the Bank’s presence in Francophone West Africa and strengthen financial intermediation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Positioned as a gateway for cross-border trade and investment, Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire will focus on corporate banking, trade finance, local and offshore banking services, and structured financial solutions tailored to businesses operating across Africa and internationally.

Commenting on the launch, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, said: “From the very beginning, our Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia CFR, set out to build a truly global brand with a strong presence across Africa and key international markets. The launch of Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire is a bold step in realising that vision; opening a strategic corridor into Francophone West Africa and reinforcing our commitment to facilitating trade, investment, and enterprise growth across the continent. As we continue to expand thoughtfully and strategically, we remain focused on delivering world-class banking solutions that connect African businesses to global opportunities.”

The new subsidiary will be headed by MD/CEO Mr. Cédric Tano, a seasoned banking executive with over two decades of experience.

Speaking ahead of the official opening, he said, “We are proud to establish Zenith Bank’s presence in Côte d’Ivoire at a time of strong economic growth in the country and increasing regional integration. Our focus is to showcase the Zenith brand as a customer-centric institution that combines global best practices with deep local insight. We are well positioned to support businesses with innovative financing solutions, facilitate cross-border trade, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Ivorian economy and the wider WAEMU region.”

The Côte d’Ivoire launch forms part of Zenith Bank’s broader continental growth strategy.

In addition to the Anglophone countries where it currently operates, and in line with the expansion into the Francophone market, the Bank has commenced its entry process into the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community) region, with Cameroon as the focal point.

With a footprint already spanning Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, and China, Zenith Bank continues to bridge African markets with global opportunities, enabling seamless trade and financial connectivity across the continent and beyond.

Founded in 1990, Zenith Bank has grown into one of Africa’s most respected banking institutions, boasting a robust capital base and a consistent track record of strong financial performance.

For 16 consecutive years, the Bank has held the record of highest Tier-1 capital in the Nigerian banking industry. Built on the foundation of People, Technology, and Service, Zenith Bank continues to deliver innovative financial solutions while maintaining a disciplined approach to growth and risk management.

Its performance has earned it numerous local and international recognitions and endorsements.

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He describing the moment as critical to ending one of the world’s most devastating diseases.

Speaking to mark World Malaria Day 2026, Dangote emphasised that while progress against malaria had been significant, it remained uneven, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, which bears more than 90 per cent of the global disease burden.

Despite significant advances in prevention and treatment, malaria remains one of the world’s deadliest diseases, with sub‑Saharan Africa accounting for more than 90 per cent of the global disease burden.

The illness continues to disproportionately affect children under five, pregnant women, displaced populations, and underserved communities, placing sustained pressure on health systems and economies.

“Progress against malaria is real, but it remains deeply unequal,” Dangote said. “Too many people still lack access to life‑saving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This gap is unacceptable when the tools to end malaria already exist.”

Malaria continues to place immense pressure on health systems, economies, and communities across Africa, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable.

However, Dangote noted that the global malaria response had reached a pivotal moment, driven by scientific advances, improved tools, and stronger partnerships.

From next‑generation vaccines and better diagnostics to data‑driven surveillance systems, Dangote said the pathway to malaria elimination was clearer today than at any other time in history.

“What is now required,” he stressed, “is decisive, equitable, and large‑scale implementation.”

This year’s global theme, “Driven to end malaria: now we can. Now we must,” underscores both the opportunity and the urgency of collective action.

Dangote highlighted the critical role of the private sector in supporting national and global malaria elimination efforts.

Through workplace and community‑based initiatives focused on prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment, Dangote Industries Limited, he said, continued to support malaria programmes that complemented public health strategies.

“Aligned and well‑coordinated private sector action can deliver measurable impact and significantly reinforce national malaria control programmes,” he said.

He further stressed that no single sector could defeat malaria alone.

According to Dangote, strong public‑private partnerships, uniting governments, businesses, development partners, civil society, and local communities, are essential to mobilising the resources, innovation, and scale needed to accelerate progress.

Dangote also warned that emerging threats, including drug and insecticide resistance, must be addressed through sustained investment in research, innovation, and adaptive strategies to protect the gains already made.

“The path to a malaria‑free world is clear. We have the tools. We have the knowledge,” he said. “What we need now is urgency, sustained investment, and collective accountability.”

He called on governments to maintain policy momentum and funding commitments, urged the private sector to expand proven interventions, and encouraged development partners to continue investing in high‑burden settings.

“Together—driven by purpose and united in action—we can end malaria,” Dangote said.

“Now we can. Now we must,” he declared.

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The MoU was signed as NCC and CBN inaugurated a Joint Committee on Payment Systems and Consumer Protection and a Joint Committee on Telecoms Identity Risk Management System, TIRMS, Portal.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the MoU provided a structured framework for cooperation in critical areas including payment system integrity, fraud mitigation, digital inclusion, and the protection of consumers, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which he noted would translate into practical outcomes that strengthened trust, deepen inclusion, and support a secure and resilient digital economy.

Maida described the signing of the MoU as an important milestone in “the regulatory stewardship” of Nigeria’s digital economy, which reflects a shared commitment to collaboration in strengthening financial system stability, advancing digital inclusion, and protecting consumers in an increasingly interconnected ecosystem.

He said, “The Commission places significant importance on collaboration. Indeed, many of the critical milestones we have achieved in addressing some of our industry’s challenges—and even in leapfrogging our sector—have been made possible through strategic partnerships and sustained collaboration. Our collaboration with the Central Bank is not new.

“Over the years, our two institutions have demonstrated the value of close regulatory coordination. A notable and recent example is our collective effort in resolving the long-standing USSD debt impasse—an intervention that restored confidence, preserved service continuity, and safeguarded the interests of consumers, telecom operators, and financial institutions alike. That experience reaffirmed a simple truth: that complex, cross-sector challenges are best addressed through structured collaboration.

“This MoU provides a clear framework for cooperation in critical areas such as payment system integrity, consumer protection, fraud mitigation, and the responsible use of digital infrastructure. In particular, it supports initiatives that promote secure digital payments, enhance trust in mobile-enabled financial services, and extend safe access to underserved populations and MSMEs.

“For the NCC, this MoU speaks directly to one of the critical pillars of our strategic focus: leveraging cross-sectoral innovation to deliver a safe, resilient, inclusive and trusted digital ecosystem. As mobile numbers increasingly underpin identity, authentication, and financial access, collaboration with the CBN is essential to ensuring that innovation is matched with strong governance, system stability, and consumer safeguards,” Maida declared.

The EVC explained that the collaboration was designed “For the prevention of electronic fraud, which has become increasingly pervasive, with significant implications for the integrity of our digital economy. Through the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) Portal—which aggregates data on churned (recycled) phone numbers, as well as numbers flagged within your sector—the Financial Services Industry will now have enhanced visibility into the status of phone numbers, one of the most widely utilized resources in your sector, although regulated by the NCC.

“This means that the Financial Institutions will be able to determine when a line is active, when it has been swapped, when it has been disconnected due to inactivity and reassigned to a new subscriber, and when it has been flagged for suspicious or fraudulent activity. This ensures that our financial services industry is better equipped with timely and relevant information to effectively combat e-fraud, particularly those perpetuated using phone numbers, in the country.

“The second area I want to highlight is an overarching one that both our institutions have consistently championed: it is the protection of Nigerian consumers. With this handshake, consumers who experience issues such as airtime recharges that do not deliver value can be assured of prompt resolution within the shortest possible time. The establishment of a platform for sustained engagement, coordinated policy responses, and joint action as new risks and opportunities emerge across the digital and financial landscape by this MoU, positions our two institutions to remain proactive, aligned, and effective in fulfilling our respective mandates,” the EVC stated.

CBN Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, described the MoU as one that would strengthen coordination on approvals, technical standards, and innovation trials, including sandbox testing that supports market-led solutions while safeguarding stability.

He said, “Going forward, the Central Bank of Nigeria remains fully committed to working with the Nigerian Communications Commission to deliver a safer, more resilient, and more inclusive digital financial system—one that supports national productivity, protects consumers, and strengthens trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.”

Cardoso subsequently inaugurated the Joint Committee on Payment Systems and Consumer Protection and the Joint Committee on Telecoms Identity Risk Management System, TIRMS, Portal, which he said would put the protection of consumers of both sectors from fraud at the forefront.

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The centre which was inaugurated on Friday, April 17, is an impressive five-level structure equipped with state-of-the-art learning and research facilities.

It includes facilities for research in hydrogeology, mineralogy and environmental geology, a seismic laboratory and seismic interpretation room as well as a library and digital museum.

The facilities are designed to support undergraduate and postgraduate studies and help to reduce the reliance of the Nigerian oil and gas industry on international markets for testing, training and research.

“This Centre represents a long-term investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset — its people,” said SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams at the ceremony. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tola Sule, said “the building will create an environment where students don’t just learn by textbooks but by doing.”

Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services Olanrewaju Igandan described the handover of the Centre of Excellence as “a testament to what can be achieved when industry, regulators and the academia work together with a shared vision for national development.”

Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, was represented at the handover ceremony by Director, Capacity Building Abayomi Bamidele.

He said: “The success of this centre will not be measured by its structure, but by its impact. The number of skilled graduates produced. The quality of research it generates. The solutions it provides to industry challenges.”

Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, highlighted expectations from the facility.

“It will provide advanced analytical, interpretative, and research services that meet international standards as well as offer degree programmes, customised short courses, professional certifications, and executive training programmes tailored towards the needs of industry, government agencies, and international partners.”

The project which was originally conceived in 2010 was executed by an indigenous company, 225MM Construct Limited.

Students from the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, University of Ilorin and Yaba College of Technology served on internship during construction thereby gaining technical experience and exposure to project execution.

The establishment of the Centre of Excellence is the latest milestone in a wide-ranging support for education by SNEPCo and its partners which involves award of scholarships, donation of science laboratories to secondary schools across Nigeria and the construction of E-learning centres at universities in Delta, Enugu, Edo and Bayelsa states.

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The fund is a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower startups, scale tech-enabled businesses, and accelerate innovation-driven economic growth across the state.

The programme provides funding, mentorship, and market access to high-potential enterprises, with a focus on strengthening Ekiti’s innovation ecosystem, creating jobs, and supporting youth, women, and underserved communities.

Notably, at least 40 per cent of the fund has been reserved for female-led enterprises.

The Innovation Enterprise Support Fund Initiative is structured as a three-phase programme covering ideation, pre-acceleration, and acceleration for about 60 startups.

Each enterprise will receive financial support ranging from ₦150,000 to ₦1,200,000, enabling job creation, revenue generation, and market-ready product launches.

Speaking on the partnership, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, said “Entrepreneurship and Innovation are two of our core values at FirstBank. We believe MSMEs are enablers of economic growth and for 132 years, we have stood beside Nigerian businesses through every phase of growth, transition and transformation. We have remained committed to building stronger business through improved access to finance and capacity building; we created the SME Connect Platform to serve as a digital hub where Nigerian entrepreneurs find the resources to move from vision to value. We are excited about this partnership, and we see more than startups. We see future industry leaders, employers of labour, and perhaps our next big partners.”

The partnership aligns with FirstBank’s longstanding commitment to financial inclusion, SME development, and youth empowerment, with an emphasis on supporting women entrepreneurs, who represent 35% of Nigeria’s startup cohort.

FirstBank has been a consistent promoter and supporter of the innovation ecosystem and SMEs in Nigeria, providing notable interventions to help them scale their platforms and businesses.

The bank has designed multiple digital platforms for its SME customers to leverage for business growth and expansion.

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They warned that the advice was ill‑timed, economically regressive and in direct violation of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.

An energy economist and professor, Ken Ife, faulted the position during a televised interview on Nigeria’s economic outlook, noting that while parts of the World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update were analytically sound, its prescription on fuel importation threatens Nigeria’s strategic push for energy independence and local value addition.

“You cannot come to a country that is struggling, and which has just developed a vision of economic self‑reliance and then advise it to reverse course and return to fuel importation,” Ife said. “That kind of recommendation undermines everything Nigeria is trying to achieve.”

He stressed that the advice directly contradicts the Petroleum Industry Act, which mandates priority supply of domestic crude to local refiners under the Domestic Crude Obligation framework.

“The law is very clear. Domestic refining must come first. Advising Nigeria to abandon that path is not just against government policy; it is a clear violation of the PIA,” Ife stated.

The economist warned that increased fuel importation would leave Nigeria more vulnerable to global supply disruptions, accelerate foreign exchange depletion and discourage ongoing investments in local refining, particularly at a time when private sector participation is expanding capacity.

“We are on track to build refining capacity that will exceed domestic demand and position Nigeria as an energy exporter. How can anyone credibly suggest that we abandon this progress and return to reckless import dependence?” he asked.

Ife also questioned the empirical basis of the World Bank’s fuel import recommendation, describing it as an unsupported addition to an otherwise rigorous report.

“This conclusion was strangely parachuted into what was largely a strong analysis. There is no evidence supporting a return to imports at a time when major refining countries are restricting exports,” he said.

While acknowledging the World Bank’s accurate assessment of Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators, including GDP growth projections and sectoral performance, Ife cautioned that its fuel policy stance could worsen rather than improve economic conditions.

Echoing similar concerns, another energy expert, Kelvin Emmanuel, also criticised the World Bank’s position, describing it as flawed and disconnected from prevailing market realities.

Speaking during a televised interview, Emmanuel disclosed that the World Bank had reportedly withdrawn the contested Nigeria Development Update from its website.

“The World Bank has retracted the report. If you check the World Bank Nigeria website, you will see that the document has been taken down,” he said.

Emmanuel dismissed claims that imported petrol could be cheaper than locally refined fuel, insisting that current global market conditions make such assumptions unrealistic.

“There is no marketer today that can land petrol into Nigeria at less than ₦1,759 per litre when you factor in freight, insurance and supply chain risks,” he said.

He explained that rising crude oil prices—driven largely by tensions in the Middle East, have fundamentally altered pricing dynamics, noting that while futures prices hover around $100 per barrel, spot prices are significantly higher.

“Dated Brent is trading at about $144 per barrel, which translates to roughly ₦1,249 per litre before distribution and other costs,” Emmanuel stated.

According to him, any suggestion that imported fuel is cheaper could only be explained by quality compromises.

“The only way imported petrol can appear cheaper is if standards are compromised, which, historically, has been the case,” he said.

Emmanuel also rejected claims that fuel prices in Nigeria are excessively high, noting that petrol remains cheaper domestically than in neighbouring African countries.

“There is nowhere in the region where petrol is sold as cheaply as it is in Nigeria,” he said.

On inflation and the rising cost of living, Emmanuel argued that Nigeria’s challenges stem from inconsistent enforcement of domestic supply frameworks rather than resource scarcity.

“Fuel price pressures in Nigeria are largely contrived. If local refiners receive crude supply as stipulated by law, prices will stabilise and volatility will reduce,” he explained.

He further criticised the World Bank’s advocacy for expanded social safety nets funded through borrowing, warning that such measures conflicted with Nigeria’s fiscal responsibility laws.

“Social safety nets are important, but you do not borrow money to share. Borrowing is meant for capital projects and human development, not consumption. If support is needed, it should come in the form of grants, not loans,” he said.

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The announcement was made at the official press conference of the tournament held on 16 March 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

ChessMasters is an annual chess tournament designed to equip the next generation with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

The competition targets children in primary school aged between 6 and 11 years old.

Organised by Eko Hotels and Suites and KEY Academy , ChessMasters was created to provide thousands of children across Nigeria with opportunities to develop modern educational skills, bringing schools together on a national stage.

Speaking at the press conference, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said, “Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports. With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we are proud of our enduring partnerships  – 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship.”

Ijabiyi further highlighted how the sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare.

“We recognise the potential of chess to help school-age children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level, hence we see the tournament as a launch pad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development. We are utilising this platform as another avenue to promote social impact and drive positive change in the community.”

Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co- Founder of ChessMasters and her partner, Damilola Okonkwo of Key Academy, expressed appreciation for FirstBank’s support, noting that the partnership will help scale the impact of ChessMasters and inspire more schools to participate.

“We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds. With support from partners like FirstBank, we are opening the doors of participation to more children and more schools in this year’s edition.”

Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative, emphasising its role in nurturing future chess talents.

“Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and manage their time and resources effectively. Chess also improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism,” he said.

The second edition of ChessMasters will be held on Saturday, 2 May 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

The competition is open to 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students expected to participate and vie for a total prize pool of N10 million.

FirstBank’s involvement in the 2026 edition of the tournament reinforces the potential of ChessMasters to become a launch pad for African children, leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development.

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The EBUS system will enable doctors to perform real-time guided biopsies and accurately stage lung cancer—an essential step in determining treatment options and timelines.

The Body Plethysmograph facilitates better diagnosis of asthma, restrictive lung diseases and related ailments.

“This is more than a donation—it is a shift,” said SNEPCo Managing Director, Ronald Adams, at the ceremony, in a speech read by Abubakar Ahmed, General Manager, Communications.

“It is a shift from constrained diagnostics to evidence-based, technology-enabled respiratory care. It empowers clinicians to practice medicine at the full height of their training and builds institutional capacity that will shape Nigeria’s healthcare landscape for generations.”

In a speech, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, NUIMS, Olanrewaju Igandan, represented by Deputy Manager, External Relations, Edith Bunmi-Lawson, said: “This initiative reflects our belief that sustainable national development goes beyond energy production. It is about improving lives, building resilient institutions and investing in systems that endure.”

The Chief Medical Director, Professor Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, who was represented by Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of LUTH, Prof. Babawale described the donation “as a landmark event that provides access to highly specialised Pulmonology care in the public healthcare sector in Nigeria.”

He added: “This donation not only makes advanced Pulmonology care available but also makes it more affordable and convenient to access for Nigerians. We are extremely grateful for your generosity, foresightedness, commitment and trust in our hospital and its Management.”

In addition to boosting respiratory care, the donation will also enable LUTH to become a Pulmonology centre of excellence where patients can access world-class care and trainees in the field can acquire skills, even as the hospital actively participates in Pulmonology research.

The donation is part of a wide range of social investments by SNEPCo/NNPC and co-venturers in education, health and human capital development.

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The directive was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Head, Public Affairs Department of NCC, Nnenna Ukoha.

The commission’s position is that subscribers should not be made to bear the full burden of service disruptions where operators fail to meet prescribed standards of service delivery.

Under the directive, erring operators will compensate affected users directly for breaches of Quality of Service, QoS, Key Performance Indicators, KPIs.

Mobile Network Operators, MNOs, it was stated, shall be required to pay the compensations for instances of poor quality of service recorded within specified time frames.

The compensation will be provided in the form of airtime credits, calculated based on subscribers’ average spending patterns and their presence within local government areas where service failures occur.

The directive was said to be rooted in the commission’s broader regulatory philosophy that placed the consumer at the centre of Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem.

“Telecommunications services today underpins economic activity, social interaction, and access to digital opportunities. When service quality is poor, the consequences affect productivity, commercial activities, and even public confidence in our communications system,” the NCC stated.

The commission said while regulatory fines had traditionally served as a deterrent against poor service delivery, it was adopting a more consumer-focused approach that strengthened accountability within the industry.

The commission said it had designed the measure to complement existing and ongoing efforts to strengthen service quality monitoring and enforce performance standards.

“Further to this directive by the Commission to MNOs on compensation to consumers, the Commission is also mandating Tower Companies who own the critical infrastructure for Quality of Service delivery, such as masts, to invest in infrastructure with measurable outcomes using sums that it has fined these companies, in addition to other financial fines the Commission will deem appropriate.

“The Commission will continue to reinforce the obligation of operators to invest consistently in network resilience, capacity expansion, and infrastructure upgrades to meet the growing demand for telecommunications services. At the same time, it will deploy regulatory tools that promote fairness, transparency, and accountability across the sector, ensuring that every subscriber receives the quality of service they deserve while sustaining a telecommunications industry capable of powering Nigeria’s digital future,” the statement reads in part.

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The event will equip small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for business growth.

This edition is strategically curated to inform and educate SMEs on how AI can be applied to scale their businesses in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

The chosen theme, “AI for Business Growth: From Adoption to Integration and Scalable Impact,” reflects the growing importance and timeliness of AI as one of the most influential trends shaping the SME business landscape.

The session will provide SMEs with actionable insights on how to leverage AI to enhance productivity, streamline operations, strengthen customer engagement, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.

The SMEConnect webinar will feature experts, including Temitope Odude, Senior AI Solutions Architect at Microsoft as a guest speaker.

Odude will provide credible and globally relevant perspectives on how SMEs can successfully adopt and integrate AI into their everyday business operations.

Other speakers include Abednego Ugwueke, Head of Digital Channels and Ibidun Adedewe, Head of SME Acquisition & Partnerships at FirstBank.

Speaking ahead of the event, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, said, “SMEs are the backbone of the Nigerian economy, and at FirstBank, we recognise that the economy cannot thrive without them. As a committed growth partner to SMEs, this session reinforces our strong focus on innovation, demonstrated through initiatives such as the use of AI‑enabled credit scoring to deliver fast, instant loans to micro‑SMEs, with over ₦1 trillion disbursed to support customers’ financial needs. Building on this foundation, we are equipping business owners with the right knowledge and practical insights on Artificial Intelligence to help them scale in the short term and drive sustainable growth. I encourage every business owner to participate in this session to gain hands‑on guidance on integrating AI into everyday business operations.”

SME owners and entrepreneurs can register for the webinar at https://firstbanknigeria.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cUr1LhWFQXymTqWtONOOVg

SMEConnect Webinar series is one of FirstBank’s signature platforms for supporting SMEs with practical knowledge and strategic insights.

The Bank has consistently won awards for impacting businesses and for providing innovative solutions for customers and other stakeholders, including SMEs.

The Bank was named Best SME Bank in Nigeria and Best SME Bank in Africa by TAB Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards for 2 years as at 2025.

The Bank also won the SME Financier of the Year- Nigeria awarded by The Digital Banker.

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