By Ayomide Otitoju
During an exclusive interview with Arise TV at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Olusegun Alebiosu, CEO of FirstBank, one of West Africa’s leading financial institutions, emphasized poverty eradication as a critical issue demanding the attention of global leaders. He also highlighted climate change and gender inequality as equally pressing challenges requiring immediate international action.
“Poverty in all its forms stems from a lack of access to resources, with finance being the most essential tool for alleviating it,” Alebiosu stated. “The easiest way out of poverty is access to finance.”
Alebiosu’s comments came amid discussions at the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit, where topics such as innovative and sustainable financing, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on human development, were central to the agenda. He stressed the importance of developing human capital to narrow the growing economic divide between developed and developing nations—a message resonating with the UN’s focus on sustainable development and equality, particularly in climate action, gender equity, and fair wages.
As a prominent figure in Nigeria’s financial sector, Alebiosu underscored FirstBank’s commitment to financial inclusion as a key pillar in the fight against poverty. In 2023, the bank extended over N36 billion in loans to women and developed a gender market strategy aimed at bolstering its women’s portfolio. With a network of over 232,000 Firstmonie agents, including 55,000 female agents across Nigeria, FirstBank continues to provide crucial financial services to underserved communities, furthering economic growth and development.
“FirstBank will become even more entrenched in the fabric of society,” Alebiosu concluded, envisioning the bank as a driving force for economic development in Nigeria and across Africa.
The UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit, held on September 24, 2024, in New York, is a high-profile event that brings together business, government, and civil society leaders to discuss innovative solutions for sustainable development in alignment with the 2030 Agenda.
