Business
FirstBank Boosts Education Sector, Supports Schools with N10bn Loan
Nigeria’s premier and leading financial services provider, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, has announced that within the last year, it has supported educational institutions in the country with loans to the tune of over N10 billion.
The Bank’s support is carried out through its FirstEdu product, an educational solution created to enhance the educational facilities in schools with a view to improving the quality of education across the country.
FirstEdu loan is targeted at private Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools to assist the schools in achieving their desired growth in the medium and long-term. The product provides funding to replace old furniture and equipment, pay staff salaries, purchase brand new or fairly-used buses as well as refurbish dilapidated buildings and classroom blocks. With this product, school owners/proprietors can stay ahead to make learning easy and conducive for students.
The product enables the schools to access facilities with no tangible collateral, apart from domiciliation of school fees account with the Bank.
On the other hand, FirstEdu portal is a modular and robust web-based enterprise portal that enables tertiary educational institutions manage academic, administrative, professional, logistics and payment challenges.
The product features and benefits include; e-Learning, virtual library and facilitation of exchange programmes with foreign educational institutions; academic & student events/time-table/calendar management; school fees payment via the internet; online information and result checking; interactive community forum between students and teachers. It also affords applicants the opportunity of enrolling from the comfort of their homes or any location around the world; no licensing, installation and maintenance cost and plugs avenues for revenue leakages amongst others.
According to Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, “With FirstEdu, private schools across the various tiers of education in Nigeria; elementary, secondary and tertiary, have the right tool to boost their business to the level they desire. We are pleased to have already disbursed over N10 billion loans to schools in one year and we would continue to support growth in this key sector of our economy.”
“At FirstBank, we identify with the impact of the educational sector on the socio-economic activities of the country and importantly the lives of everyone. We remain committed to supporting schools as education is the core and root factor at enabling growth of our economy” he concluded.
In need of the right educational solutions to give your school a boost, visit the FirstBank branch nearest to you or contact us on our social media channels; @firstbanknigeria on Instagram; @firstbankngr on twitter and FirstBankofNigeriaLimited on Facebook.
For many Nigerians, home ownership has always felt like a long dream parked somewhere between someday and maybe. However, the MREIF Mortgage Loan by FirstBank of Nigeria is quietly changing that narrative.
Here are five things you should know:
1. Designed for Real People.
This is not a luxury only scheme. It is structured to help middle income earners move from rent payments to ownership with a manageable repayments plan.
2. Single-Digit Interest Is Real (Yes, Really)
At 9.75% per annum, this isn’t your typical Nigerian mortgage with rates that make your eyes water. In a market where double-digit interest is the norm, this government-backed rate feels almost like a financial hack.
3. It is a Step Toward Financial Security.
Rent is an expense. A mortgage is an asset building strategy. This loan bridges the gap between today’s income and tomorrow’s equity.
4. The Diaspora Dream Is Alive
Nigerians abroad, take note; you can access this too. All you need is credit scores from international agencies like Equifax (plus a few extra documents) and that Lagos or Abuja home isn’t just a retirement fantasy anymore. It turns real.
5. Your Down Payment Just Got Smaller
Forget saving 30-40% upfront. MREIF requires just 10% equity contribution. That ₦100 million home? You need ₦10 million, not ₦30 million. The barrier to entry has never been this low for genuine homeownership.
Ready to stop renting and own your own home? MREIF is the key. Visit the FirstBank website now to get started.
In celebration of the Easter season, Adron Homes and Properties Limited has announced the launch of its much-anticipated Easter Fiesta Promo, offering Nigerians a unique opportunity to secure land ownership with a 30 percent discount and flexible payment plans of up to 36 months.
The promo, which runs for a limited period, is designed to make property acquisition easier and more rewarding for families, working professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking to build long-term wealth through real estate.
According to the company, the Easter Fiesta covers its estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja (FCT), Nasarawa, and Niger.
Management noted that Easter symbolizes renewal, sacrifice, and new beginnings, values that align with the company’s mission of helping Nigerians secure tangible assets that create generational impact.
“Easter represents hope and a fresh start. At Adron Homes, we believe one of the most meaningful ways to embrace new beginnings is through property ownership. This promo is structured to remove financial barriers and encourage more Nigerians to invest in land, which remains one of the safest and most reliable assets,” the company stated.
Beyond the 30 percent discount, subscribers will also enjoy structured gift packages under both Platinum and Compact plot categories, with milestone-based rewards ranging from food items and livestock to household appliances. The initiative is aimed at providing immediate value while customers build long-term investment portfolios.
Industry analysts have consistently identified land banking in rapidly expanding suburban corridors as a strategic hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. By offering extended installment plans of up to 3 years, Adron Homes is positioning itself as a key player in addressing accessibility challenges in Nigeria’s housing ecosystem.
With verified titles, strategic estate planning, and customer-friendly payment structures, the company continues to reinforce its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading real estate brands.
As the Easter celebration approaches, prospective subscribers are encouraged to take advantage of the limited-time Easter Fiesta offer through accredited marketers and Adron Homes offices nationwide.
This Easter, the company urges Nigerians to look beyond short-term festivities and embrace investments that build a lasting legacy.
Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading pan-African financial services group Ecobank Group, has unveiled a significantly enhanced version of its multi-award-winning gender financing initiative, Ellevate by Ecobank, as part of activities commemorating International Women’s Day 2026. The upgraded programme reinforces the bank’s long-term commitment to advancing women-led enterprises in Nigeria and across Ecobank’s pan-African footprint.
Originally launched to improve access to finance for women-owned, women-led, and women-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within its Commercial Banking segment, the enhanced Ellevate programme now adopts a broader, more inclusive structure. The new framework extends across all business segments, positioning Ellevate as a comprehensive ecosystem designed to address the structural financing and growth barriers faced by women entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the development, Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, said the enhanced programme further strengthens the bank’s ambition to be the financial partner of choice for women entrepreneurs.
“Since its launch in Nigeria in July 2021, Ellevate has delivered meaningful impact for SMEs and women-led businesses. This next phase deepens our value proposition and reinforces our resolve to remain the preferred financial partner for women entrepreneurs,” he said.
Under the expanded structure, beneficiaries will enjoy improved access to credit on competitive terms, including more flexible collateral considerations aimed at easing traditional financing constraints. Beyond lending, the programme integrates digital payment, collections, and cash management solutions to enhance operational efficiency and support scalability.
A core pillar of the enhancement is structured market access. Through the bank’s MyTradeHub online matchmaking platform and e-commerce enablement capabilities, women entrepreneurs will be better positioned to connect with customers and trade partners across Africa, facilitating cross-border expansion and participation in regional value chains.
The initiative also incorporates robust non-financial support mechanisms, including targeted training programmes, leadership development sessions, and knowledge-sharing platforms to strengthen managerial capacity and long-term sustainability. This is complemented by access to customised wealth management advisory services, integrated insurance solutions, and a loyalty framework offering commercial incentives through select retail and lifestyle partnerships.
Lawal noted that the programme aligns with Ecobank’s broader ambition to drive inclusive growth by empowering women as critical contributors to economic development.
“African businesswomen deserve world-class banking solutions that drive turnover, profitability, and sustainable growth. Our approach goes beyond financial inclusion to building an enabling ecosystem that enhances competitiveness and long-term resilience,” he added.
He further highlighted that Ecobank Nigeria consistently hosts flagship platforms such as Adire Lagos, Oja Oge, +234Art Fair, the Lagos Pop-Up Museum, SME Bazaar, and the Design & Build Exhibition, which provide prominent opportunities for showcasing and elevating women-owned businesses.
With this enhancement, Ecobank Nigeria deepens its strategic positioning in gender-lens financing while aligning with its wider pan-African mandate to advance financial inclusion, SME development, and regional trade integration.
