FirstBank’s FirstAcademy Named Best Corporate University For Social & Climate Impact

FirstBank’s FirstAcademy has been named Best Corporate University for Social & Climate Impact.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that FirstBank’s in-house learning arm, FirstAcademy, has won the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change Impact at the Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards 2025 in Paris.

 

The biennial GlobalCCU Awards celebrate corporate universities that deliver exceptional value to business, society, and the environment. FirstAcademy was singled out for its comprehensive social and climate-change learning initiatives, its alignment with FirstBank’s strategic priorities, and its leadership in corporate social responsibility.

 

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Founded in 2012 to drive talent development and culture change, FirstAcademy has embedded sustainability into every facet of its curriculum. Its programs now include a climate-action capacity-building series, expanded climate-finance offerings, and community engagement projects designed to translate employee training into real-world impact.

 

“FirstAcademy is a very mature Corporate University, clearly the best globally at driving social and climate-change learning,” said Annick Renaud-Coulon, Founder and Chair of the GlobalCCU Awards. “They brilliantly align with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development, connecting learning to business priorities at the highest level.”

 

Olayinka Ijabiyi, FirstBank’s Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, welcomed the accolade as a testament to the bank’s belief that “business can be a force for good.” She added, “This award underscores our commitment to extend transformation beyond profit, creating sustainable and equitable futures for our employees, communities, and the planet.”

 

With this win, FirstAcademy cements its reputation as a pioneer among corporate universities, setting a benchmark for integrating environmental stewardship and social responsibility into corporate learning and development.