Nigeria’s leading financial institution, First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FirstBank) has again demonstrated its commitment to the empowerment of the Nigerian youth by renewing the tenure of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI) for sponsorship of its activities for another three years.
The signing ceremony, which took place today at the head office of the Bank in Marina, Lagos was anchored by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya and the Patron of NLI, Dr. Christopher Kolade.
The renewal of the partnership, which started in 2008 stemmed from the huge success recorded in the preceding years. Over the last three years, dozens of grassroots and strategic partners were enlisted to reach Nigerian public with its core values and national reorientation messages. Participants in the annual NLI Future Leaders Seminar, mostly young home based Nigerian professionals (and Nigerians in the Diaspora) that reside in Europe and the US, constitute a class and undertake projects to demonstrate the skills imparted during the seminar. Through their various projects, they have been able to impact an estimated 500,000 people each year in Nigeria and around the world. The Future Leaders Program has produced a total of 138 Associates.
Commenting on the choice of NLI, FirstBank’s GMD/CEO, Mr. Bisi Onasanya said FirstBank is proud to be associated with an organization that seeks to identify and nurture leadership potentials in our youths. “We have been at the forefront of championing good corporate governance and developing a workforce comprising people of impeccable integrity. There's an alignment of vision between our organizations and we see our partnership as another way of contributing to the development of youths that will be in the driver's seat of leadership in future”, he said adding that Dr. Dr. Christopher Kolade, NLI’s patron should be commended for his commitment to replicating the ideals of professionalism and selfless leadership that he is renowned for under the NLI platform. He charged the organization to remain focused and pursue avenues and vocations that will enable them realize and develop their leadership potentials.

Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Christopher Kolade commended FirstBank for its unwavering support, noting that the Bank has remained a formidable institution committed to implementing robust corporate social responsibility initiatives.

FirstBank’s Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Mrs. Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney said the Bank’s partnership with Nigerian Leadership Initiative is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives which place emphasis on promotion of initiatives that impacts Nigerian youths at home and abroad. “As a leader in the financial services industry, we are conscious of the need to groom future business leaders and the Nigerian Leadership Initiative readily comes to mind as a good partner”, she said.

Established in 2006 by the incumbent Nigerian Finance Minister, Olusegun Aganga, the NLI is a platform designed to enable Nigerian youths realize and express their leadership potentials by providing a platform for highly accomplished, uniquely qualified Nigerian Leaders (Fellows) to develop and express their values-based leadership skills and to assume a transformative role in the future development of Nigeria.