FirstBank’s training academy, FirstAcademy, has been bestowed with the prestigious Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the 2025 Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards. This accolade, presented in Paris, France, recognizes FirstAcademy’s exceptional dedication to integrating social and climate change learning into its programs. The academy’s success stems from aligning its learning and development initiatives with the needs of internal stakeholders, fostering a strong sense of corporate social responsibility, and demonstrating a tangible commitment to promoting sustainable practices. This award not only highlights FirstAcademy’s internal achievements but also underscores its broader contribution to creating a more responsible and sustainable future.
The GlobalCCU Awards, a biannual event established in 2013, serves as a benchmark for excellence in corporate universities worldwide. Over its twelve-year history, the awards have consistently recognized institutions that demonstrate exceptional commitment to learning and development, ultimately creating value for individuals, businesses, and the planet. The awards celebrate corporate universities that go beyond traditional training, fostering innovation and driving positive change within their organizations and the wider world. FirstAcademy’s recognition signifies its position as a leader in integrating sustainability and social responsibility into its core learning strategies.
Inaugurated in 2012, FirstAcademy was established as FirstBank’s dedicated corporate academy with a mandate to provide structured talent development, facilitate knowledge management, and drive cultural transformation within the organization. The academy’s core objective is to equip FirstBank’s staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively deliver on the bank’s strategic objectives. This includes fostering adaptability in a dynamic work environment and instilling a strong sense of social and environmental responsibility. By integrating these values into its training programs, FirstAcademy contributes not only to individual employee growth but also to the bank’s overall commitment to sustainable development.
Annick Renaud-Coulon, founder and chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, lauded FirstAcademy as an exemplary corporate university, particularly highlighting its global leadership in driving social and climate change learning initiatives. Renaud-Coulon praised the academy’s maturity, its strong alignment with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development, and the visible support it receives from senior leadership within the bank. The academy’s governance model, which strategically links learning to business priorities, was also commended, emphasizing the practical application of its programs. FirstAcademy’s success, according to Renaud-Coulon, sets a visionary standard for other corporate universities, demonstrating the impactful role learning can play in advancing social and climate change initiatives through inclusive capacity building.
Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, expressed the bank’s immense satisfaction with the international recognition of their efforts in promoting social responsibility and climate action. The award, Ijabiyi noted, reinforces FirstBank’s belief that businesses have a crucial role to play in driving positive societal transformation. This extends beyond simply generating profits to encompass creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Ijabiyi highlighted the dual impact of FirstAcademy’s programs, which not only enhance employee skills and contribute to the bank’s success but also directly benefit the well-being of society and the environment. This integrated approach underscores FirstBank’s commitment to its broader stakeholders and the planet.
The GlobalCCU Award bestowed upon FirstAcademy solidifies its position as a global frontrunner in integrating social and climate change learning into its corporate training programs. The academy’s success serves as a testament to the effectiveness of aligning learning and development initiatives with broader organizational values and societal needs. By fostering a culture of responsibility and equipping employees with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable practices, FirstAcademy acts as a catalyst for positive change both within FirstBank and in the wider community. The award not only celebrates past achievements but also inspires continued innovation and leadership in driving meaningful social and environmental impact through learning and development.
