By Ayomide Otitoju
FirstBank of Nigeria has entered into a strategic partnership with EStars Education Africa Limited, a global leader in educational esports, to promote structured esports education and unlock new career opportunities for Nigerian youth.
The collaboration will support the rollout of EStars’ educational qualifications, including entry-level Certificates and BTEC courses tailored to the growing esports sector. These programs aim to equip students with the technical, entrepreneurial, and digital skills required to succeed in the fast-evolving global gaming industry.
As part of the partnership, both organisations are also exploring the launch of a co-branded gaming credit card. The card would offer gamers exclusive rewards and features, further enhancing user experience and financial inclusion in the esports space.
“With over 820 business locations and more than 39 million customer accounts, FirstBank is committed to empowering youth and driving innovation,” said Chukwuma Ezirim, Group Executive, E-Business and Retail Products Division at FirstBank. “Esports present a new frontier of creativity and opportunity. By investing in esports education, we are opening new career paths and supporting the development of Africa’s esports ecosystem.”
EStars CEO, Mags Byrne, described the partnership as a crucial step toward making esports education accessible across the continent. “We are thrilled to be working with FirstBank, Nigeria’s oldest bank, to bring our educational products to a broader audience. This partnership makes our mission of delivering educational esports across Africa achievable.”
Echoing this sentiment, EStars’ Africa Advisor Joel Popoola emphasized the long-term impact of the initiative: “This collaboration is about more than gaming—it’s about equipping young people with the tools to thrive in a digital economy. We are creating pathways to jobs in technology, manufacturing, and beyond.”
The partnership reinforces FirstBank’s ongoing commitment to innovation, youth empowerment, and economic development, positioning the bank at the forefront of supporting emerging industries in Nigeria and across Africa.
