Ayomide Otitoju
First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced plans to host its SMEConnect Webinar on March 31, 2026, aimed at equipping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with practical knowledge on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for business growth.
The bank said the webinar, themed “AI for Business Growth: From Adoption to Integration and Scalable Impact,” is designed to help SMEs navigate the rapidly evolving digital economy by adopting AI-driven solutions to enhance productivity, streamline operations, improve customer engagement, and enable data-driven decision-making.
The session will feature industry experts, including Temitope Odude, Senior AI Solutions Architect at Microsoft, who will provide insights into integrating AI into business operations. Other speakers include Abednego Ugwueke, Head of Digital Channels, and Ibidun Adedewe, Head of SME Acquisition and Partnerships at FirstBank.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive for e-Business and Retail Products, described SMEs as critical to Nigeria’s economic growth, noting that the bank remains committed to supporting the sector through innovation. He highlighted the bank’s use of AI-enabled credit scoring, which has facilitated the disbursement of over ₦1 trillion in loans to micro SMEs.
FirstBank noted that the SMEConnect Webinar series remains one of its flagship platforms for delivering strategic insights and practical support to SMEs, reinforcing its position as a key partner in business development and financial inclusion.
The bank has received multiple recognitions for its SME-focused initiatives, including awards for Best SME Bank in Nigeria and Africa, as well as SME Financier of the Year in Nigeria.
