Nigeria’s leading financial institution, First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FirstBank) has again demonstrated its commitment to the economic well being of its customers by sponsoring them for a four-day business leadership training programme in Lagos and Enugu States. The project, anchored by Leap Africa, a not for profit organization  was aimed at equipping business owners who run small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) with the required skills and tools necessary to effectively and efficiently manage organizations that will outlive them. Modeled after international best practices, the objectives of the intensive four day programme are to:
   • Expose business owners to critical skills and tools for effective leadership in
     business;
   • Give them the unique opportunity to reflect on their current leadership abilities 
     and to enhance their leadership and management skills;
   • Build a close community of business owners who will encourage and support 
     each other to build successful and sustainable businesses.
According to the Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications of FirstBank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, FirstBank was persuaded by the need for the emergence of a new breed of enterprising leaders who will work collaboratively to build successful and sustainable companies that will outlive them.

“At FirstBank, we recognize that leadership development is critical to nation building and wealth creation hence the partnership with LEAP Africa”, she said.

The training programme presented a good platform for business owners and aspiring ones to learn and interact with highly resource persons on various topics such as - the art and act of leadership, developing personal and organization’s mission and vision statements, goal setting, time management, networking, trust walk, negotiations, succession planning, communications, creativity, moral and organizational ethics, instituting systems and structures for  long term sustainability, motivating and coaching people for peak performance, organizational culture, building a world class Board of Directors and succession planning.

The Bank’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) focus is driven along 3 priority areas: Education, Health & Economic Development. Between 2005 and 2008, FirstBank sponsored Business Leadership Programmes in Enugu, Kano and Lagos, reaching over two hundred and twenty business owners and customers who run small and medium scale enterprises. As West Africa’s pioneer financial services group, FirstBank has had legendary contributions to national growth and development over the past 116 years, having served as Nigeria’s central bank prior to the advent of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) amongst other roles in ensuring methodical and rapid economic transformation of Nigeria and the sub-region. The Bank currently has over 5 million customers, eleven (11) financial subsidiaries, and presence in the UK, France, South Africa and China.