By Ayomide Otitoju
First Bank of Nigeria Limited, widely known as FirstBank, has issued a strong denial regarding recent fraud allegations published by Tech Cabal, labeling the claims as entirely unsubstantiated and lacking factual evidence.
Established in 1894, FirstBank stands as West Africa’s premier bank and a leading provider of financial inclusion services across the continent. With a presence in three continents, including unique locations such as FirstBank UK Limited in London and operations in countries like Ghana, Sierra Leone, and China, FirstBank boasts a rich heritage and a robust international footprint.
The bank’s impressive track record extends over 130 years, characterized by solid relationships, excellent corporate governance, and a strong liquidity position. FirstBank has been a key player in promoting digital payments in Nigeria, having issued over 13 million cards—making it the first bank in the country to achieve such a milestone.
Serving over 42 million customer accounts across Nigeria, the UK, and sub-Saharan Africa, FirstBank offers a wide range of retail and wholesale financial services through more than 820 business offices and over 243,400 agent locations throughout 772 local government areas in Nigeria.
Demonstrating a commitment to diversity, FirstBank emphasizes equitable policies and initiatives, including the FirstBank Women Network, aimed at closing the gender gap and enhancing women’s representation within the organization. The bank has garnered numerous accolades for its service excellence, including being named “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” for six consecutive years and receiving various awards for retail banking over multiple years.
In 2023, FirstBank’s achievements were recognized with prominent awards, including “Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa” and “Best Financial Inclusion Service Provider in Nigeria,” among others. The bank continued to garner international acclaim in 2024, securing several prestigious accolades from Euromoney and The Asian Banker.
FirstBank’s vision is to be “Africa’s Bank of first choice,” supported by a mission to deliver top-tier financial services while maintaining core values centered around entrepreneurship, professionalism, innovation, and customer-centricity. The organization remains focused on driving growth through customer-led innovation and strategic execution, promising to uphold a “gold standard” of service excellence.
