FirstBank, the West African premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has emerged as Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, held recently in London. This marks FirstBank’s second consecutive win in the ESG category, affirming its leadership in sustainable finance and responsible banking across Nigeria.

The Euromoney Awards for Excellence are regarded as one of the most coveted accolades in the global financial industry. The highly competitive selection process involves rigorous analysis and assessment, measuring performance against strategic and impact-oriented criteria.

The Bank earned the award through its deepened sustainability commitments embedded across its operations and community initiatives. In 2024, FirstBank screened 237 transactions worth over ₦3 trillion for sustainability risks, integrating ESG considerations into its credit framework.

Among its flagship sustainability initiatives, FirstBank commenced a tree planting campaign in partnership with Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), planting over 30,000 trees in 16 locations across Nigeria. This was the first phase of its 50,000-tree initiative, projected to absorb approximately 720 tonnes of CO₂ by the end of 2025, contributing to climate resilience and supporting biodiversity preservation.

FirstBank has been proactive in gender inclusion through the Gender Market Strategy, disbursing over ₦43 billion FirstGem loans to women-led businesses in 2024. The Bank’s commitment to inclusive banking saw a significant increase in the worth of transactions facilitated by FirstMonie agents to over ₦9 trillion.

The Bank prioritises ESG/sustainability capacity building, evidenced by the training of over 9000 employees, and its webinars and workshops reaching over 2,000 SMEs and corporates. The bank’s investment in leadership for over 2,000 female employees through the FirstBank Women Network has demonstrated a dedicated structural commitment to cultivating a knowledgeable and diverse workforce catering to the dynamic ESG landscape.

Commenting on the award, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank as well as the Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor said, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award for the second time in a row, which is a validation of our efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all our stakeholders. Our approach to sustainability is hinged on three pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; responsible lending, procurement and climate initiatives”

He added: “We remain focused on driving impact through purposeful initiatives and inclusive growth, ensuring that our ESG efforts continue to create meaningful change in communities across Nigeria and beyond.”

The continued success in ESG and sustainability is driven by FirstBank’s vision to be Africa’s bank of first choice, leading with purpose, responsibility, and innovation.

Nestlé Nigeria is proud to announce the expansion of its flagship initiative, Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria, to Agbara, Ogun State. Aimed at strengthening small businesses and enhancing livelihoods within rural communities, this program has welcomed 49 new female retailers.

Now in its fifth year, the Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria project has empowered over 382 women across the country, enabling them to expand their businesses by as much as threefold.

Through tailored business training, product grants, and mentorship, the initiative supports women in building more profitable retail ventures, reinforcing Nestlé’s commitment to inclusive growth at the community level. With the addition of the 49 new participants from Agbara, the project has now reached a total of 431 women.
At the opening ceremony in Agbara, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, stated, “Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria is about creating genuine opportunities for women.

Supporting rural women to scale their retail operations by up to 300% within just three months is not only beneficial for business but also essential for fostering a more inclusive economy, stronger families, and resilient communities.”

She further emphasized, “Opening new doors for hardworking women determined to build better futures for themselves and their families in Agbara holds significant meaning for us, as this community has been home to Nestlé Nigeria for over four decades. We have witnessed the transformative impact of structured training, mentorship, and business grants on the 382 women who have already benefited from this initiative, and we are confident that we will see more success stories emerge from Agbara. Through this initiative, we are not only supporting individual entrepreneurs; we are investing in ripple effects that will benefit the entire community.”

Boladale Odunlami, Commercial Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, elaborated on the initiative’s purpose: “At Nestlé, we are intentional about creating growth opportunities across every segment of our value chain. The Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria initiative was launched in 2021 to support women retailers in underserved communities, recognizing their critical role in driving local economies. Since its inception, over 380 women have benefited from the program, with more than 85% reporting sustained business expansion. With product grants valued at up to 300% of their existing business size, participants have improved their turnover, increased revenue, and strengthened their community presence. This edition is particularly special, as the participants were nominated by their own communities and will each receive product grants worth N200,000. We are excited to welcome the Agbara cohort and are confident that, with the support we provide, they will continue this legacy of progress and success.”

On behalf of the Alagbara of Agbara, His Royal Highness Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade JP, Olori Adeola Agunbiade commended Nestlé’s enduring relationship with the community and encouraged the women to seize this opportunity. “Our community enjoys a peaceful and respectful relationship with Nestlé, which enables us to work together effectively on community-led initiatives like the women empowerment program. We are delighted to see the women we have carefully selected from our community benefit from this program, whose impact we have heard about. I urge every woman here today to take full advantage of this training to build something lasting for herself and her family. I assure Nestlé Nigeria of our commitment to co-owning this project, which will further strengthen the long-standing bond with the people of Agbara.”

The women expressed their gratitude and optimism regarding the opportunity. Mrs. Eniola Fausat, one of the participants, shared her excitement: “This opportunity has opened my eyes to what is possible in my business. With the training and support, I am now more confident that I can improve my shop and better support my family. I thank Nestlé and the Alagbara for believing in us.”

Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria exemplifies Nestlé’s commitment to creating shared value in society. Since its inception, the initiative has expanded to nine locations across the country.

Beneficiaries receive training in essential areas such as entrepreneurship, bookkeeping, merchandising, and customer service skills which are vital for running successful retail operations. Each participant is also assigned a personal mentor for three months and receives product grants to help them scale sustainably.

With every new phase, Nestlé continues to support financial independence among rural women, enabling them to create better futures for themselves and their communities.

In commemoration of World Blood Donor Day and World Sickle Cell Day 2025, Access Holdings, one of Africa’s leading financial services groups, successfully executed a group-wide blood drive across six African countries, reinforcing its commitment to improving health outcomes and driving real impact in the communities it serves.  Held under the theme “Shine the Light on Sickle Cell,” the initiative brought together employees, community members, health professionals, and partner organisations in a coordinated effort to provide safe blood donations, a lifeline for individuals living with sickle cell disorder and others in critical need of transfusions.

A Continent United by Purpose

Blood donation is still one of the most essential yet underappreciated pillars of public health in Africa.

According to the World Health Organisation, Africa faces a significant shortfall in safe and voluntary blood donations, a challenge that puts countless lives at risk, especially those living with conditions such as Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD), which affects millions across the continent.

Recognising this need, Access Holdings expanded its annual blood donation initiative beyond Nigeria’s borders, extending its reach to African subsidiaries of its banking group, Access Bank, in Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Cameroon.

In some countries, the drive focused specifically on supporting individuals living with sickle cell disease, while in others, it formed part of broader efforts to strengthen national blood banks and encourage a culture of voluntary donation.

“This was not just about donating blood, it was about showing up for our communities when it matters most,” said Esther Graham, Programme Officer, Health, Access Holdings.

“In Nigeria, where an estimated 2 million units of blood are needed annually but only about 25–30% of that is collected, and less than a fifth of that from voluntary donors. The impact is heartbreaking; emergency care is delayed, maternal mortality rises, and lives are lost to preventable shortages. Across Africa, the situation is just as critical, with an average of only 5 units available per 1,000 people, only half of the World Health Organisation’s recommended benchmark. This initiative was a powerful reminder that even the smallest act of generosity can create life-saving impact and reaffirm our shared humanity.”

Real Impact, Tangible Results 

The campaign witnessed strong participation from staff, customers, and local community members, many of whom were first-time donors. To ensure safety and ethical standards, Access Holdings partnered certified healthcare organisations and blood banks to guarantee that every unit collected was properly handled and responsibly distributed.

Key results from the drive include:

• 760+ pints of blood donated across 6 countries

• Hundreds of lives potentially impacted, especially among patients with chronic conditions.

• Increased public awareness around sickle cell disorder and the importance of voluntary blood donation.

• High staff engagement, led by the Sustainability Champions Network across Access subsidiaries.

“It was heartwarming to see staff across all levels participate,” said Tania Macaneta, Team Lead, Marketing and Communications, African Subsidiaries, Access Bank.

“In some locations, even community members and customers stepped up to donate. This kind of unified action is what sustainable development truly looks like.”

More Than One-Time Campaign

The blood drive forms part of Access Holdings’ broader commitment to sustainability and health equity under its impact agenda.

In recent years, the Group has supported sickle cell warriors through initiatives that include:

• Free insurance cover for individuals living with SCD

• Educational support and back-to-school items for affected children

• Public awareness campaigns and screenings in underserved communities.

By integrating sustainability into the fabric of its business operations, Access Holdings continues to demonstrate that profit and purpose can, and should, go hand in hand. “Blood donation is one of the most selfless acts anyone can make, it requires no wealth, only the will to help. At Access Bank, we believe in building stronger communities through compassion and care. Today, we celebrate every donor whose generosity saves lives, and we encourage more people to step forward and be heroes,” said Allan Ratemo, Head of Corporate Communications, Access Bank Kenya.

The Way Forward

While the 2025 blood drive may be over, its message endures: impact is a habit, not an event. Through continued education, partnerships, and volunteerism, Access Holdings is committed to fostering a culture of compassion and proactive health support across Africa.

“At Access Bank, we recognise that the simple act of donating blood can mean the difference between life and death. On this World Blood Donor Day, we stand in solidarity with donors around the world and reaffirm our commitment to supporting health and humanity. Giving blood is not just a donation, it is a gift of life, and we are proud to champion this cause,” noted Maline Cera, Team Lead, Corporate Communications, Access Bank Mozambique.

As Access Holdings reflects the impact of this year’s drive, one thing is certain; its staff, partners, and communities are ready to keep showing up, time and again.