Business
When a Bank Puts SMEs First
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Last week will go down as one of the most challenging weeks, if not the most challenging, Nigeria has faced in 2020. What started out weeks before as very well-organised peaceful protests by young Nigerians campaigning to #EndSARS, was supplanted by hoodlums engaging in wanton looting, arson and destruction of public and private properties across many states at an unprecedented scale. By the end of the week, many lives had been lost, many properties and businesses completely destroyed and Nigeria has been left reeling from a shock that dwarfs any the country felt even at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In keeping with the Nigerian spirit of being one’s brother’s keeper, equally unprecedented efforts by individuals, groups and corporate organisations to try to provide assistance for people and businesses affected by the crises of the past week, have followed. Individuals and groups have announced donations of cash and materials, set up helplines to offer psychological counselling and support, and started online crowd-funding efforts in support of victims. Among corporate organisations, we have seen banks take a leading role. Some banks, such as Access Bank and Stanbic IBTC, have announced funds or desks they have set up to receive requests from, and process assistance for, affected individuals and businesses. One of these banks’ efforts include pledged interest-free loans and grants that affected businesses and individuals can access.
Another bank has seen thousands of requests for assistance pour in through the online channel it set up for the purpose. The requests have flowed in, not only because of the victims’ desperation for help, but also because of the humane approach to banking that this institution adopts. Always putting the customer at the heart of its business, FirstBank has been showing empathy with all those who have experienced one loss or the other as a result of the crises. Since last week, the bank has been seeking every opportunity to identify with people who are currently grieving and hurting.
Although the largest and most prominent member of Nigeria’s leading financial powerhouse, the FBNHoldings Group that is a one-stop shop for financial services ranging from commercial and investment banking to financial advisory, insurance brokerage and pensions custodianship, FirstBank is neither immune nor removed from the challenges people face. It is a human institution with thousands of humans working as employees to provide bespoke banking products and services to millions of other humans whose pulse the bank feels through its employees. Being part of a group with expertise across the broad spectrum of financial services, makes FirstBank the banking partner with the broadest shoulders to assist SMEs buffeted by the wave of violence witnessed across the nation last week.
Given the interconnectivity between Nigeria and FirstBank’s history, it is no surprise that a tumultuous week in Nigeria is giving way to one with stories of hope and optimism by Nigerians badly affected by the crises of the past week, who are looking to FirstBank for assistance. These Nigerians have been encouraged by the strides FirstBank has made over the years in the SME space as the bank of first choice for small businesses. Built around seven strategic pillars – of connect to infrastructure, connect to talent, capacity building, policy and regulation, connect to resources, connect to market as well as connect to finance – considered essential for the sustainability and growth of SMEs and intended to promote a healthy business interaction and adaptability of the SMEs with their immediate environment, FirstBank’s involvement with SMEs, through SMEConnect (the bank’s branded bouquet of empowerment initiatives, products and services tailor-made for SMEs), has been one that has sought to facilitate their growth into future economic powerhouses playing ever-increasing roles in Nigeria’s economic development.
Since its maiden SME National Conference in 2014, FirstBank has annually engaged small businesses and SME owners in series of empowerment seminars and workshops designed to improve their business capacity. Only this year, FirstBank held its inaugural SME Business Clinic in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja with many SMEs in attendance. The SME Business Clinic featured Abayomi Adewumi, CEO of the Global Leadership Institute and an industry expert and business growth consultant with vast experience working with SMEs. He engaged participants on the FirstBank SME diagnostic tool designed for SMEs to check the health of their business, better understand it and drive profitability.
In 2019, FirstBank organised a weeklong SME event which had owners of SMEs in different sectors mentored across multiple states in the country. It was the first of its kind in the industry. Organised in partnership with SME Traction, a leading business coaching platform, it was aimed at empowering SMEs to make informed choices about their businesses, thereby facilitating growth and bolstering their contribution to the development of the economy. At the event, FirstBank’s Deputy Managing Director, Gbenga Shobo, underlined the importance the bank attaches to SMEs. He said: “At FirstBank, we recognise the impact SMEs have in promoting growth of the economy and are excited at the opportunity to continue to enable them prosper by strategically contributing to the sustainability of their business. We remain the trusted financial partner of SMEs and reiterate our resolve to be known as the brand that enables their success; much the same way that we have for over 125 years enabled Nigerians and the economy at large.”
This same point was elaborated at another FirstBank SME event, “Food Souk”, convened in 2019 in partnership with Eventful Limited, an events management firm, where the bank restated its commitment to the Federal Government’s diversification drive, promising to continue to support the agricultural value chain from production to consumption to create opportunities for SMEs in the food sector so they could in turn create job opportunities. The bank also extended its hand of partnership to all small businesses involved in organising different trade fairs and exhibitions. A food vendor at the event, Ms Ijeoma Ebeneme, the Chief Executive Officer, JEM N Iris, commended FirstBank for putting the event together. Ebeneme said she was at the food fair to make profit, meet new clients as well as create the needed publicity for her brand. It is for people like Ebeneme that FirstBank maintains an SME website (https://smeconnect.
In support of owners of SMEs operating in the education sector, FirstBank, in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), set up a matching fund scheme of ₦5 billion LSETF-FirstEdu Loan. Officially launched in September by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Dr Adesola Adeduntan, Managing Director/CEO of FirstBank, the scheme aims to cushion the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on low-cost private schools by ensuring lending at an attractive interest rate. Speaking at the launch, Dr Adeduntan said: “At FirstBank we recognise the indelible role played by the education sector in the growth of any economy and this underscores our partnership with Lagos State Government for continuous development of the education services in Lagos State and the nation as a whole. The commitment by the Lagos State Government – including this partnership – to enable schools is quite commendable as this will mitigate the challenges caused by the lockdown on the education sector following the COVID-19 pandemic.”
It is for efforts like all those highlighted above and many more that the 2019 edition of KPMG’s Annual Banking Industry customer Satisfaction Survey named FirstBank as the biggest mover in the SME space. The 2014 edition of the Survey had named the bank as the most popular bank among MSMEs for both deposit transactions and credit/loan facilities with 26 per cent of the SMEs surveyed identifying the bank as one where they had an ongoing loan facility or had obtained one in the recent past. It is also for the same reason that the unfortunate events of the last week have reignited the bond between Nigerians and FirstBank, a partner that they can bank on in times of need. The bank’s track record leaves no one in any doubt of its unwavering commitment to continue to weather all storms with Nigeria and Nigerian SMEs with whom it shares a common destiny.
Culled from BusinessDay
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has launched a Group-wide Climate Action Week to deepen climate awareness, promote responsible environmental practices and advance sustainable finance across its African and international operations.
The five-day campaign, running from October 26 to 30, 2026, is themed “Banking on Africa’s Climate Future” and reflects the Bank’s commitment to integrating environmental responsibility into its operations, customer engagement and financing solutions.
The initiative commenced with the deployment of waste segregation bins across UBA offices and measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics at the Bank’s head offices. These activities underscore UBA’s commitment to translating sustainability principles into practical actions within its workplace and across its wider ecosystem.
Throughout the week, UBA will disseminate educational content across its media and digital platforms to highlight the causes and consequences of climate change, including its impact on food prices, energy consumption and urban flooding. The campaign will also promote responsible plastic disposal, recycling and the critical role of financial institutions in financing clean energy, sustainable agriculture and other environmentally responsible businesses.
As part of the campaign’s community engagement component, UBA staff volunteers will participate in a Group-wide clean-up exercise on Saturday, November 7, in major cities across its markets. In Nigeria, the exercise will take place in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, mobilising employees to contribute directly to cleaner and healthier communities.
UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the growing impact of climate change.
“Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern; it is increasingly shaping everyday life across Africa. We see its effects in rising food costs, increased energy demand and flooding that disrupts homes, businesses and livelihoods.
“At UBA, we believe that building a sustainable future requires collective action, beginning with the choices we make at work, at home and in our communities. Through this Climate Action Week, we are encouraging every member of the UBA Tribe, alongside our customers and other stakeholders, to embrace practical, sustainable habits and inspire others to do the same,” Alawuba said.
As part of its stakeholder engagement activities, UBA will sponsor Climate Convergence Week in Lagos on Friday, October 30, where the Bank will deliver a speaking session and participate in a panel discussion. The engagement will provide an opportunity to showcase UBA Green Finance, highlight the Bank’s sustainability initiatives and explore how financial institutions can support Africa’s transition to a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy.
Alawuba, noted that climate considerations were increasingly important to business resilience, risk management and long-term economic growth.
“Climate change presents significant risks to businesses, communities and economies. These risks can affect business continuity, operating costs and financial performance, making sustainability an increasingly important consideration for both businesses and the financial institutions that support them.
“Through UBA Green Finance, we seek to support eligible businesses investing in cleaner technologies and more sustainable operations. By helping customers explore financing solutions aligned with their needs, we can contribute to a more resilient private sector while unlocking opportunities for sustainable economic growth across Africa,” Alawuba further said.
In a further step towards strengthening its sustainability capabilities, UBA is set to join the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN). The move is expected to deepen the Bank’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) expertise and support the continued professional development of its employees in sustainability-related disciplines.
The Climate Action Week forms part of UBA’s broader sustainability strategy, which integrates environmental responsibility into its Customer First philosophy through responsible business practices, employee engagement, community initiatives and green finance. By combining awareness, practical action and financing solutions, the Bank aims to encourage more sustainable choices while supporting businesses and communities in navigating the challenges and opportunities of climate change.
United Bank for Africa is one of Africa’s leading financial institutions and one of the largest employers in the continent’s financial sector, with approximately 25,000 employees and over 45 million customers globally. Operating in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, advancing financial inclusion and leveraging technology to deliver innovative financial solutions.
Business
UBA Secures Court Order Against Vitol, Four Others in $242m Petroleum Products Diversion Claim
A Lagos State High Court, last Thursday, granted interim preservative orders of Mareva Injunction against Vitol SA – a Switzerland based Energy Trading company, and four other shipping companies in favour of United Bank for Africa Plc.
The bank alleged Vitol of wrongful release of cargoes of petroleum products which were consigned to the order of United Bank for Africa Plc in the Bills of Lading.
Addressing the Court, Bode Olanipekun, SAN, lead counsel for United Bank for Africa, urged the Court to grant the interim preservative orders against Vitol and the other shippers.
In a ruling on the application, the presiding judge, Honourable Justice K. A. Jose (Mrs.) granted three prayers in UBA’s application, including requests to restrain the dissipation of assets and dealings with funds up to the disputed amount by Vitol S.A.
“Prayers 1–3 are granted as prayed against the 2nd Respondent only,” the judge ruled.
The application was brought pursuant to Order 43 Rule 1 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and the Lagos State High Court Practice Direction No. 2 of 2019.
UBA is seeking to contend in the substantive proceedings that Vitol SA and the owners of the vessels, are liable for alleged conversion, misrepresentation and negligence arising from the non-delivery of the petroleum products.
UBA also cited 34 financial institutions and public agencies, including commercial banks, merchant banks, microfinance banks, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service, in connection with the application.
In an affidavit supporting the application, UBA’s Group Head of Recoveries and Remedial Management, Anthony Chilaka, stated that the bank issued a letter of credit for the benefit of Vitol SA to facilitate a petroleum products transactions.
UBA alleged that the cargo was transported to Nigeria and that the vessels’ masters issued several bills of lading.
The bank further alleged that Vitol subsequently endorsed the bills of lading “to the order of” UBA and handed over the original copies to it.
UBA maintained that the endorsement entitled it to take possession of the cargo upon completion of the voyage.
However, Chilaka stated that the bank had not received the gasoil despite the completion of the voyage.
“The applicant has not been given possession of the gasoil despite completion of the voyage,” the affidavit stated.
UBA alleged that the cargo was instead, applied to the use of another party, contending that the respondents’ failure to deliver it amounted to conversion and negligence.
The bank argued that the respondents had obligations arising from the transaction and the endorsement of the shipping documents, which it claimed were not fulfilled.
The bank alleged that the cargoes associated with those transactions were also diverted to the use of other parties after their voyages, rather than delivered to UBA.
Ecobank Nigeria has commemorated the 14th edition of Ecobank Day, its flagship Group-wide Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, across four regions of the country, reaffirming its commitment to empowering communities through education and digital inclusion.
The selected schools include: Hope Fountain Foundation for the Deaf, Agege, Lagos; Ibadan School for the Deaf, Ibadan; Special Secondary School for the Deaf, Odakpu, Onitsha, and Kaduna State Special Education School, Kaduna.
This year’s Ecobank Day was celebrated under the theme, “Digital Education,” with a focus on equipping persons with disabilities and young people with essential digital skills that can enhance their educational, personal, and career development in today’s technology-driven world.
The initiative underscores Ecobank’s commitment to extending its impact beyond banking by helping to equip Africa’s youth with the digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills required to succeed in the future economy.
As part of the programme, Ecobank employees visited selected schools across the four regions, where they conducted digital literacy sessions and donated learning materials and educational resources to support students’ development and prepare them to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Speaking during the commemoration, the Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal said: “It is a pleasure to join you today as we commemorate the 14th edition of Ecobank Day, our Group-wide Corporate Social Responsibility initiative dedicated to creating meaningful impact across the communities we serve. “Ecobank Day reflects our commitment to being more than a bank. It demonstrates our dedication to empowering people and contributing to sustainable development across Africa.”
Bolaji noted that digital education has become increasingly important in bridging knowledge gaps and creating opportunities for young people, particularly those living with disabilities, enabling them to participate fully in today’s digital economy.
School proprietors and administrators who participated in the programme commended Ecobank for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will help broaden students’ access to digital knowledge and opportunities.
They expressed appreciation to the Bank for investing in the future of young people and supporting inclusive education within their communities.
For 14 years, Ecobank Day has served as an annual platform for Ecobank employees across Africa to give back to society through impactful volunteer activities that address critical social challenges.
The initiative continues to demonstrate the Bank’s dedication to fostering sustainable development and creating lasting positive change across the communities where it operates.
