FirstAcademy, the corporate training arm of FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, has received the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social and Climate Change at the 2025 edition of the Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards held in Paris, France.
The award is in recognition of FirstAcademy’s outstanding commitment to promoting social and environmental responsibility through structured learning programmes. The bank said the honour reflects the academy’s efforts in aligning staff training with sustainability goals and internal stakeholder needs.
In a statement issued by the bank, it noted that FirstAcademy emerged as the top corporate university globally in the social and climate change category. The institution was recognised for designing and implementing learning programmes that not only develop employee capacity but also tackle broader environmental and social issues.
Founded in 2012, FirstAcademy was created as a dedicated corporate university for FirstBank. Over the years, it has focused on structured talent development, knowledge sharing, and cultural transformation initiatives aimed at equipping employees with the skills needed to support the bank’s long-term strategy.
According to the bank, the academy also plays a critical role in reinforcing FirstBank’s values of responsible banking, employee engagement, and sustainability. It has gradually evolved into a learning platform that supports broader societal goals, including climate change awareness and social equity.
The GlobalCCU Awards is an international programme that celebrates excellence in learning and development through corporate universities. It is held every two years and attracts entries from top institutions around the world. Since its debut in Paris in 2013, the GlobalCCU Awards has built a reputation for spotlighting corporate academies that deliver significant impact for individuals, businesses, and the planet.
Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, described FirstAcademy as an exemplary model of what a corporate university should be in today’s world. She said, “FirstAcademy is an outstanding corporate university that is clearly the best globally for driving social and climate change learning initiatives.”
She further praised the academy for its alignment with FirstBank’s long-term vision and its support from senior leadership. According to her, FirstAcademy has demonstrated how learning can be used as a strategic tool to support responsible banking, sustainability, and inclusive development.
“FirstAcademy is a very mature corporate university which demonstrates a strong alignment with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development, with clear support from senior leadership and a governance model that strategically connects learning to business priorities,” Renaud-Coulon said. “Congratulations to FirstAcademy for setting a visionary standard in advancing meaningful social and climate change impact through learning and inclusive capacity building!”
Reacting to the award, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said the bank was proud of the recognition, which reflects its core values.
“We are delighted to receive this international recognition for our efforts in promoting social responsibility and climate action. This award serves as a testament to our belief that businesses can be a force for good, driving transformation that extends beyond profit to create sustainable and equitable futures for all,” Ijabiyi stated.
He added that the learning initiatives introduced through FirstAcademy have enhanced employee performance, while also contributing to the broader goal of environmental protection and social well-being.
FirstBank has been one of the leading financial institutions in Nigeria, with over 130 years of service to individuals and businesses. Through FirstAcademy, the bank continues to push the boundaries of corporate training by introducing programmes that combine professional development with sustainability education.
As issues of climate change, social impact, and responsible governance become central to business operations globally, the recognition of FirstAcademy by GlobalCCU shows that Nigerian institutions are not only participating but also leading on the international stage.
