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FirstBank: Empowering Staff; Driving Productivity against the Odds
By Segun Adams
As the coronavirus pandemic forces firms to downsize and cut their wage cost to cope with the adverse economic realities, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is bucking the trend with a different approach that puts its staff first, writes Segun Adams.
In a pandemic year where employees are agreeing to pay cuts to keep their jobs and businesses are either downsizing or simply liquidating, First Bank of Nigeria Limited is an outlier, taking an unusual approach to demonstrate how organisations can still ensure the best outcomes for both employer and employees.
The first-tier lender last Friday promoted a crop of its staff across all levels in a rare show of corporate resilience in the banking industry and beyond, both locally and across the borders.
According to FirstBank, keeping staff motivated during these unprecedented times is not only crucial for the soul of businesses, but it also demonstrates corporate responsibility.
In the wake of the new coronavirus pandemic, there have been unprecedented layoffs across the world as companies went bust, unable to generate cash to sustain their operations.
The United States, the world’s biggest economy has recorded a historic rise in unemployment with over 45 million initial unemployment claims in the last three months.
In Britain, HSBC, a giant global bank, is reviving plans for a 35,000 job cut due to pre-existing problems thought to have been worsened by the pandemic. Big banks like Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Citigroup, Barclays, Société Générale among others have announced about layoffs exceeding 60,000 jobs.
In Nigeria, 38% of the workforce was jobless in April due to the virus and lockdowns, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) estimates. In the MSMEs sector, 50,000 jobs were lost and 10,000 businesses have shut down according to Auwal Bununu Ibrahim, the National Vice President, North Central of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, (NASME) and in the Aviation industry, some 24,000 jobs were lost as of April.
While banks in the country have been barred by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from laying off staff without regulatory approval, there is no obligation for banks to implement promotions or raise pay. In fact, most lenders have initiated pay cuts to cope with the excess capacity arising from skeletal operations and depressed levels of economic activities in the economy which is reeling from the coronavirus and lockdown shocks.
But against the odds, FirstBank promoted its staff and didn’t cut down salaries.
In a recent article, Forbes stated that the manner in which firms treat their employees during the ongoing health and economic crisis will not only be remembered for years to come but have a direct effect on their productivity going-forward.
“How businesses respond will have a lasting impact on employee behaviour including, engagement, productivity and loyalty,” the American business magazine noted.
Hertzberg’s Two-Factor Theory also known as dual-factor theory postulates that career progression is a motivating factor for employees to work harder.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to take a toll on the mental health and focus of employees in the country, and across the world, due to uncertainty of job status, lower income and a disruption to their career development, FirstBank stands out as a safe and rewarding place to work.
The stability and confidence enjoyed by the bank’s staff are the vital environment human resources experts say is necessary for firms that will successfully navigate the tides of current realities.
In a recent BusinessDay Webinar, Nkemdilim Begho, CEO, Future Software Resources Limited advised that businesses can engage their team and see how they can help in creating new ideas and products that the company can deliver. The resultant effect will be greater efficiency of staff and innovation whereas, elsewhere organizations are bound to struggle with a demotivated workforce which could lead to inefficiencies and higher costs for the businesses with adverse implications for bottom-line.
To realise optimal human resources contributions, Begho acknowledged the need for firms to sustain team bond and ensure that morale of their staff is high.
Even before current events, FirstBank has always proven to be conscious of the impact a stimulating and rewarding environment can have on the overall employee performance and thus, provided value accretion to shareholders, customers and other stakeholders.
From its competitive remuneration across cadres including mid-level and senior-level employees to benefits that cover medical insurance and disability insurance, sick leave and vacation, and retirement options, FirstBank puts its workforce first ensuring that they are well motivated and equipped to deliver higher productivity.
FirstBank has featured on some of the best workplace rankings including A Great place to Work and Jobberman. Last year, the big bank ranked among the Jobberman 2019 best 100 companies to work for in Nigeria, a list that scrutinizes over 60,000 companies to pick the best 100 based on strict metrics. The bank has enjoyed positive reviews from credible job/career sites like Indeed where it banks a 4.1/5 positive rating.
A former employee of the bank Aderemi Adebiyi commended the institution for its keen interest in the welfare and career progression of its employees. “I worked in the Bank for 15 years and do not regret it. It’s fast-paced, performance-driven with varied streams of career development,” Aderemi said. “The company also offers paid trainings.”
FirstBank’s talent management strategy is aimed at supporting employee engagement, employee motivation and increased productivity, and leadership development across all levels of employees within the organization, according to its website. As a tenet of career development, FirstBank has devoted itself to creating a culture of continuous learning tailored to the needs and aspirations of the employees and the business itself.
The bank’s FirstAcademy and learning centres strategically located around the country allows for e-learning, mobile learning, physical classrooms and virtual libraries to allow all employees the opportunity to equip themselves for future roles that benefit both them and the organization. This means pandemic or not, learning is continuous and uninterrupted.
FirstBank also prides itself as an equal opportunity employer so that qualified persons irrespective of gender, culture, age, nationality, sexual orientation, disability or social background can participate in its business.
At the same time, FirstBank remains a performance-driven organization and merit-based, allowing individual talents to be rewarded for their hard work and contribution to overall organisational goals.
With people as one of the bank’s greatest assets, it strives to maintain a pool of multi-skilled and well-rounded employees relying on initiatives like Job Shadowing, Coaching, Counselling, Mentoring, Succession Planning and Career Maps to develop and retain talents at all levels of the organisation’s operations.
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ZenithBankPlcreaffirmeditscommitmenttoadvancingtrade,investmentandeconomiccooperationbetweenCanadaandAfricaastheHeadlineConferenceSponsorofthe6thCanada-AfricaBusinessConference, held on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.OrganisedbytheCanada-AfricaChamberofBusiness,theconferencebroughttogetherahigh-levelCanadian business delegation representing 31 companies, alongside senior government officials, businessleaders, investors, policymakers, diplomats and development partners. The gathering set out to strengthencommercial relations between Canada and Africa and to position Nigeria as a strategic gateway for Canadianbusinesses seeking opportunities across the continent.The Canadian delegation comprised companies and institutions operating across financial services, security,mining andcritical minerals,legal andprofessional services, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, educationand clean energy. Among those present were GardaWorld, Dentons, Baywood Group, Element, Trilliant andother leading Canadian enterprises exploring commercial opportunities and strategic partnerships in Nigeria.The Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunranti, who delivered the keynote address on behalfof the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, described the conference as a timelyplatform for deepening commercial partnerships between Canada and Africa amid shifting global economicrealities. He underscored Africa’s readiness to lead the next phase of global economic growth, stressing thatthecontinent now possessestheinstitutions,policy frameworks andpartnershipsrequiredtoturn its immensepotential into shared prosperity.“The question is not whether Africa is rich in potential. It is whether we can turn that potential into prosperityour people can feel. For the first time, the answer is yes, because of the machinery we are now building,” hesaid.RepresentingtheGovernorofLagosState,HisExcellencyMr.BabajideSanwo-Olu,thePermanentSecretary, Ministryof Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade andInvestment, Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo,reaffirmedthe State Government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for investment and internationalpartnerships, and highlighted Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s commercial hub and gateway to African markets.“Canada bringstothe tableconsiderable expertise,capital, innovation,and astrong traditionof institutionbuilding.Africa,andindeedLagos,offerscale.Weoffertalent,creativity,marketopportunitiesandanincreasingly sophisticated business environment. Together, these strengths create a compelling foundationfor transformative partnership,” he said.Speaking at the event, the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, notedthattheconferencereflectsthegrowingmomentuminbilateralcommercialcollaborationbetweenbothcountries. He said: “The relationship between Canada and Nigeria is not new. It is rooted in diplomacy, trade,education,culture,migration,andshareddemocraticvalues.Buttoday,Ibelieveweareenteringanewchapter: one that is more ambitious, more practical, and more human.”
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TheChairoftheBoardoftheCanada-AfricaChamberofBusiness,PaulaCaldwellSt-Onge,highlightedNigeria’sgrowing economic significance,saying: “Nigeria’s growth isnot theoretical.It is alreadybeing built byNigerian entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions, innovators and companies whose ambition reachesacross Africa and around the world.”She also acknowledged Zenith Bank’s role in advancing the conference’s objectives, stating: “Zenith Bank isnot only oneof Africa’s leadingfinancial institutions, it isthe capital behindwhat you seehere today, and itrepresents the skill, ambition, discipline, innovation and excellence that this conference seeks to showcase.”Theconferencefeaturedhigh-levelpaneldiscussionsonCanada-Africacommercialrelations,investmentopportunitiesacrossprioritysectors,andtheimplementationoftheAfricanContinentalFreeTrade Area(AfCFTA). The sessions brought together policymakers, business executives and industry experts to identifypracticalpathwaysforstrengtheningcommercialpartnershipsandacceleratingsustainableeconomicdevelopment.The conference is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for Canadian investment,while opening new opportunities for technology transfer, private sector collaboration, job creation and long-termeconomicgrowth.ItalsoreinforcesNigeria’spositionasastrategichubforbusinessesseekingtoaccess opportunities across Africa under the AfCFTA, supporting the country’s ambition to expand its role inregional and global trade.
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HabariPay Launches Maiden “HabariPay Impact Report 2025”, Showcasing Its Journey, Business Evolution, and Contributions to Digital Payments
HabariPay Limited, the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”), has unveiled its maiden HabariPay Impact Report 2025, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive account of the company’s evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact on the digital payments landscape.The report captures HabariPay’s transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers, highlighting the milestones, strategic decisions, and investments that have shaped its growth. It showcases the company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions.The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the company’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions. The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.Speaking on the launch of the report, the Managing Director of HabariPay, Eduofon Japhet, said: “As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators. The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy.”She further added: “The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.”The report also showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.Looking ahead, the publication outlines HabariPay’s vision for the future, including continued investment in payment infrastructure, merchant solutions, digital innovation, and intelligent technologies that will shape the future of financial services.
To access the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, please click the below: https://squadco.com/impact-report/About HabariPayHabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations, and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.
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