Business
FirstBank’s Giant Strides in FinTech Leadership
By Eric Elezuo
It is not by accident that Nigeria’a leading financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, scaled all hurdles to hit the peak among players in Fintech network.
Fintech, a portmanteau or what can easily be referred to as abbreviation of finance and technology, forming the phrase financial technology, is the technology and innovation that aims to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services.
While to most financial institutions, the process is emerging, to FirstBank, it is an already established and improved variety that has helped customers conduct banking activities without making physical contact with the bank or bank staff, but leveraging on the use of handheld mobile smartphones, and regular phones as in the case of *894# services. By this means, the bank has provided mobile banking, investing, borrowing among many other financial technologies aimed at making financial services more accessible to the general public.
Fintech is an integral part of FirstBank, and both are interrelated and are more like twelve and a dozen. In the words of the Group’s Executive, e-Business and Retail Products, Chuma Ezirim, FirstBank is a technology company offering financial services. Nothing could be farer than this truth!
FirstBank, without a doubt, the foremost player and leader of Fintech via its various electronic and digital offerings, boasts of the following but not limited technological innovations including the ever reliable *894#, highly prolific Firstmobile, FirstOnline, Whatsapp banking which thrives on the simple mobile number, 08124444000, FirstAdvance details among a host of other ‘first’ innovations and services.
Consequently, the bank has picked awards after awards with the FirstMobile App, among which is the Best Mobile Banking App in Nigeria in 2019 by the UK-based Global Business Outlook.
These services, have in no small measure, become the focal point, using alternative channels and electronic banking, especially as the world battles the ‘new normal’ with the principle of safe distance, thus reducing the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
To this end, the Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, during the just concluded edition four of the FinTech Summit, which reiterated activation of vibrant ecosystem, hinted that FirstBank’s involvement in the FinTech revolution is the fastest in the industry, and is mostly run by a sizable number of entrepreneurs. He mentioned that FirstBank has been positioned as the Fintech partner of choice, having established relationships with notable companies such as PiggyVest, Terragon, VoguePay and PatStack.
“FirstBank has become the foremost financial inclusion solutions provider with over 9 million USSD users, processing over 200 million transactions to date. Also, with more than 60,000 Firstmonie Agent Banking locations we have to date processed over 320 million customer transactions worth over NGN6 Trillion on the FirstMonie Agent Network as at July 2020, further cementing our leadership in the Agency Banking space,” Adeduntan said.
He noted that the bank’s rating has soared with its digital payment channels, and has remained in the forefront of providing financial inclusion solutions across board and round the clock with it’s FirstMobile app, USSD (*894#) and FirstMonie, as well as the popular Firstmonie Agent Banking Network.
It is not therefore, out of place to say that the Bank has led other banks in the field of FinTech, having supported Nigerians to meet their needs through these innovative digital platforms. Not only that, families and companies have paid bills through this channel, individuals and corporate bodies have purchased airtime to keep in touch with families, loved ones and staff just as procurement of data to surf the net and stay current with recent trends across the globe have been made absolutely easy through the FirstBank innovative FinTech channels.
While most establishments mourn the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, FirstBank leveraged on the scourge to become innovative in providing services for the benefit of its customers who found a costless outlet to fulfill all their financial inclusion needs. The era in question provided ready canvas for stretching and exploits, and the over 9 million USSD users are the happier for it. This is a bank that processes 90 customer initiated transactions per second on its digital channels, and has not stopped to assiduously re-architect its systems towards innovating newer FinTech channels for its teeming customers for a stress-free banking activity.
With over 9.5 million customers using the FirstBanks Unstructured Supplementary Service Data within a period of five years, the Bank has clearly demonstrated that it is the leader in electronic banking. The USSD banking services it provides have been proved to be easy to use, convenient, fast, user friendly, and as such several and various banking activities have been carried out therein across the four major GSM network operators in Nigeria through mobile phone, and surprisingly, without the use of internet. It therefore means that FirstBank’s (*894#) services can be obtained irrespective of the type of phone a customer uses. Among services available through this channel are data and airtime top-up for self and third party, quick balance enquiry, fund transfers, BVN enquiry and linkage, mini statement, account number enquiry, opening account, merchant and first advance loan service – this a service that enables salary earners take a loan of up 50% of their monthly salary. That is the power of *894#.
Ezirim sums up this leadership roles as follows:
“At FirstBank, we are excited about the impact our innovative solutions are making in the Nigerian payment landscape. Our *894# USSD banking has been a viable platform through which we take our banking services to the doorstep of our customers, right on the palm of their hands, without the limitation of an internet connection. We remain committed to creating various avenues to enable Nigerians carry out various financial activities conveniently, safely and securely anytime, anywhere in Nigeria.”
In addition, and following through the standard of excellence, FirstBank has also upgraded its mobile banking application, FirstMobile, with new and improved features to promote safe and convenient mobile banking experience for customers.
The award winning application, which has been termed dynamic, has been redesigned with improved security and self-service features to ease the navigation capability and proficiency of customers. In addition to the improvement of the services, which offers unified and streamlined banking experience, the aesthetics are not left out as it comes with a unique cool blue coloured appealing background.
Among features that speak of the uniqueness of FirstMobile app are card protection service for customers to enable and disable cards on channels, account switch off as well as second-factor authentication and device registration. Customers can remotely initiate the request for a new debit card as well as the replacement of a lost or damaged one, whilst managing activities on their card and account, thus balance enquiry and statement, amongst others.
Again, the app is embedded with biometrics, which allow customers to use their fingerprints to consummate all transactions. This is strictly to validate transactions. There are others such as frequent transaction, which enables users to access their frequently completed transactions like airtime, transfers and bill payments; dashboard flexibility and personalisation, smoother transaction experience and improved beneficiary management.
The FirstBank accessibility galore has also improved airtime top-up and data purchase as customers are able to select phone numbers directly from their phone contacts.
In addition, with a smoother experience on funds transfer, bill payments and airtime transactions, customers can add and delete beneficiaries without having to repeatedly enter the recipients’ details over and over again. Users can also take a photo or select from the Avatar (available icons) to personalize their dashboard and beneficiaries for Transfers, Bills Payment & Airtime Transactions by uploading a picture to associate with their beneficiary, especially the more frequent ones.
Furthermore, the dashboard has been designed to reflect the lifestyle and social pattern of the user as it can be customized by adding any profile picture of choice. The dashboard also enables users to monitor their spending patterns over a period. It shows the inflow and outflow of funds on their account.
There are endless possibilities with FirstMobile. It covers and puts the customer at an advantage with the FirstAdvance and Nano Loan features. So accessing loans is quicker than the touch of a button. Not only that, FirstMobile also guarantees access to movie ticket(s) ahead of time and flights at the earliest convenience.
Hear Chuma Ezirim again:
“The upgraded FirstMobile is built to reflect FirstBank’s resolve at reinforcing the digitisation of our payment systems, whilst putting our customers at an edge to conveniently meet their everyday needs at any time, irrespective of where they are. Indeed, this upgrade makes the application new, as it is designed to suit the social pattern and lifestyle of our customers.
“With over 3.7million active users on FirstMobile across android and ios devices, we remain steadfast at regularly reinventing our services on the App with dynamic and innovative capabilities to resonate our focus to deliver state of the art digital solutions to all our customers at all times, irrespective of where they are.”
It would be recalled that halfway into the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Nigerians with FirstBank cards used them 105 million times to make payments or withdrawals worth about N1.18 Trillion as they relied on the Bank to settle their banking needs.
In addition, the Bank’s CEO noted that approximately 12.6 million withdrawals to the tune of N156 billion were carried out across FirstBank’s ATMs nationwide. That explains the height of faith customers have in FirstBank.
“Our customers made transfers over 106 million times with a total value of about N8.18 Trillion across our digital channels. We have also recorded over 275,000 new sign-ups to alternative channels covering our Firstmobile, USSD and First-Online platforms,” Adeduntan informed.
From every indication, FirstBank has, and will continue to embrace emerging FinTech opportunity for the sole benefit of its numerous customers. To this end, it has held four editions of FinTech Summit. It is therefore, necessary that as many that are yet to get on board do so now for a hitch-free banking services from anywhere in the country.
Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading Pan‑African financial services group, Ecobank Group, has announced the fifth edition of the Adire Lagos Experience, its flagship cultural and creative industry showcase. The event will take place from June 11–14, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos.
The 2026 edition is themed “Threads Across Borders,” celebrating the depth and global resonance of Adire as a uniquely Nigerian art form, while positioning it within Africa’s broader textile and cultural narrative.
Rooted in Nigeria’s rich heritage, the Adire Lagos Experience continues to serve as a gateway for cross‑border cultural exchange, reinforcing Ecobank’s Pan‑African vision through culture‑led commerce.
The four‑day event will feature over 100 vendors, with the exhibition remaining predominantly Nigerian, reflecting the country’s leadership as the home and heartland of Adire production. To enrich diversity and continental collaboration, 10 percent of participating vendors will come from outside Nigeria, offering complementary African textile expressions and creative perspectives that foster knowledge exchange and cross‑border partnerships.
Speaking on the upcoming event, Omoboye Odu, Head, SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, highlighted the intentional balance between cultural authenticity and Pan‑African inclusion.
“Adire is proudly Nigerian, and this platform remains firmly anchored in celebrating our local artisans and creative enterprises. At the same time, Ecobank’s Pan‑African mandate allows us to thoughtfully open the space to creators from other African markets, encouraging collaboration, shared learning, and trade connections that elevate African craftsmanship as a whole,” she said.
Beyond the exhibition booths, the Adire Lagos Experience 2026 will offer indigenous cuisine, African music and cultural performances, alongside curated networking and business engagement sessions designed to strengthen linkages across the Adire and wider creative value chain—from artisans and designers to merchants, buyers, and cultural enthusiasts.
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting SMEs and the creative economy, Ecobank has opened registration for prospective exhibitors, with selected applicants eligible to receive complimentary exhibition booths. Applications close on April 28, 2026.
Through the Adire Lagos Experience, Ecobank continues to champion Nigeria’s cultural leadership while advancing Pan‑African collaboration—transforming heritage into enterprise and reinforcing its role as a truly Pan‑African institution driving impact beyond banking.
As the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitaliSation exercise came to an end March 31, 2026, most banks operating in the country rose to the challenge and met the requirement ahead of time.
However, Fidelity Bank’s proactive approach paid off, and it continued to demonstrate its commitment to growth and innovation. In a remarkable display of investor confidence, Fidelity Bank opened and concluded a private placement in just one day on December 31, 2025. Leading institutions, including AFREXIM Bank and its subsidiaries, invested in the bank, showcasing their faith in Fidelity’s vision and leadership.
With the CBN’s verification process complete, Fidelity Bank’s capital base now exceeds the required N500 billion threshold. This milestone positions the bank to expand its footprint, drive growth, and deliver returns to investors.
Market analysts stated that the successful completion of the private placement underscores strong investor confidence in the bank’s growth strategy, governance framework and long-term fundamentals, even amid tightening regulatory standards and evolving macroeconomic conditions.
The lender had announced to the investing public that it has surpassed the N500billion regulatory capital threshold following the successful completion of a N259billion private placement of ordinary shares.
The Company Secretary, Fidelity Bank, Ezinwa Unuigboje in a signed statement on Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) disclosed that the private placement, conducted with the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was opened and closed on December 31, 2025.
According to her, the proceeds from the exercise lifted Fidelity Bank’s eligible capital from N305.5billion to N564.5billion, subject to final regulatory approvals.
The latest capital raise positions the lender comfortably above the new minimum capital requirement of N500billion for commercial banks with international authorisation, as stipulated by the apex bank under its banking sector recapitalisation programme. According to the bank, the private placement was carried out pursuant to the mandate granted by shareholders at its Extraordinary General Meeting held on February 6, 2025.
At the meeting, shareholders authorised the board to issue up to 20 billion ordinary shares through a private placement as part of measures to strengthen the bank’s capital base and enhance its capacity to support economic growth. The N259billion raised through the private placement builds on earlier capital-raising efforts by the bank. Fidelity Bank had stolen the show by taking a bold step in June 2024, launching a Public Offer and Rights Issue to raise capital.
Fidelity Bank successfully raised N175.85billion via a combination of a public offer and rights issue, which had increased its eligible capital to N305.5billion at the time. That exercise left a capital shortfall of N194.5billion relative to the new regulatory benchmark, a gap now fully covered by the latest transaction. Fidelity Bank’s strategic moves have set it up for success, and the stage is set for the bank to make significant strides in the Nigerian banking sector. Fidelity Bank noted that the strengthened capital position will enhance its balance sheet resilience, support business expansion, and enable it to play a more robust role in financing key sectors of the Nigerian economy, in line with regulatory expectations. The bank added that it remains focused on value creation for shareholders, prudent risk management and sustained profitability as it navigates the post-recapitalisation phase of the banking sector. Meanwhile, the stock price of Fidelity Bank closed trading April 10, 2026 at N19.50 per share on the NGX.
Access Bank Plc has been named Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand for the fifth consecutive year by Brand Finance, reinforcing its leadership position in the country’s financial services sector.
Brand Finance announced this in its Nigeria 25 2026 report, which ranks the country’s strongest brands based on brand value, brand strength, and underlying business performance. According to the report, Access Bank’s brand value stands at ₦773.2 billion, maintaining its number one ranking despite short term macro-economic and market pressures.
It attributed the marginal year-on-year decline in brand value to a deliberate strategic shift, as the Bank continues to prioritise long term growth, regional expansion, and international scale over shortterm domestic margins.
Brand Finance pointed out that Access Bank’s sustained leadership reflects a longterm brand strategy anchored on scale, trust, and regional relevance, positioning the Bank to maintain brand strength and resilience as Nigeria’s economy continues its gradual recovery and the competitive landscape evolves.
It highlighted Access Bank’s transition from a local market leader to a cross continental financial infrastructure provider, noting that stronger contributions from its African operations helped offset a decline in Nigerian income during the period. This repositioning supports the Bank’s ambition of serving as a key gateway between Africa and global financial markets.
Importantly, the Brand Finance report also recorded a strengthening of the Access Bank brand, with the Bank rising to third place nationally on the Brand Strength Index (BSI), achieving a score of 88.7/100 and retaining an AAA brand rating. Brand Finance links this improvement to stronger brand coherence across markets and clearer strategic positioning following the consolidation of international acquisitions.
Commenting, Babatunde Odumeru, Managing Director, Brand Finance Nigeria, said, a defining shift in the business environment has been the movement from survival to resilience, with brands that invested through uncertainty now emerging stronger.
“This report highlights a key trend: trust is now the fundamental driver of business growth. With consumers now more cautious about how they spend their money, brands must offer a reliability premium in order to build trust, which is an essential foundation for customer loyalty. The brands that have achieved this have not just stood out but have consistently grown their brand value and maintained their lead in the Brand Finance rankings: If you are reliable, you are valuable.”
Odumeru noted that the rankings were dominated by the banking and manufacturing sectors, driven by homegrown resilience and digital savviness required to convert engagement into customer loyalty. This dynamic, he said, reflects a collaborative strength between the two sectors that continues to underpin Nigeria’s overall brand value.
The Brand Finance Nigeria 25 report is published annually and assesses Nigeria’s leading brands using a combination of brand value, brand strength, and comprehensive market analysis.
