Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the Managing Director/CEO of First Bank of Nigeria Limited & Subsidiaries, has been named the African Banker of the Year in the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday, February 24, 2018. He was also inducted into the African Leadership CEOs Hall of Fame at the event.
Dr. Adeduntan’s emergence as the African Banker of the Year is in recognition of his commitment to the noble ethics of the banking profession, strict compliance to the CBN’s reforms in the Nigerian banking industry and the economic development of the nation, coupled with his exemplary leadership in and out of the boardroom.
The award is coming on the heels of series of nominations by the African Leadership Magazine, with focus on identifying and rewarding deserving individuals, corporate entities and governments who have excelled in leadership and entrepreneurship; proven versatility and public spiritedness laced with global best practice; contributed to a good human cause, as well as made remarkable achievements and unparalled contributions to global development.
Responding, Adeduntan thanked the management of African Leadership Magazine for the award, stating that the award would be a further inspiration for FirstBank to continue to partner with businesses committed to the socio-economic development of the African Continent. He also stated that FirstBank will remain committed to drive innovation and transformation in the banking industry both in Nigeria and in sub-Saharan Africa where the Bank has subsidiaries, whilst building a global brand that will positively impact on the financial services needs of all stakeholders. “We would keep up the momentum, resilience and flexibility to better meet growing customer expectations” he stated.
About FirstBank
First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is Nigeria’s premier and most valuable banking brand, and largest financial services institution by total assets and gross earnings. With more than 12 million customer accounts, FirstBank has over 750 branches providing a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services. The Bank has international presence through its subsidiaries, FBN Bank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FBNBank in the Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra-Leone and Senegal, as well as its Representative Office in Beijing.
Since its establishment in 1894, FirstBank has consistently built relationships with customers focusing on the fundamentals of good corporate governance, strong liquidity, optimized risk management and leadership. Over the years, the Bank has led the financing of private investment in infrastructure development in the Nigerian economy by playing key roles in the Federal Government’s privatisation and commercialisation schemes. With its global reach, FirstBank provides prospective investors wishing to explore the vast business opportunities that are available in Nigeria, an internationally competitive world-class brand and a credible financial partner.
FirstBank has been named “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” six times in a row – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 – by the globally renowned “The Banker Magazine” of the Financial Times Group; and “Most Innovative Bank in Africa” in the EMEA Finance African Banking Awards 2014. Recently, for the sixth consecutive time, the Bank clinched the “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” award by The Asian Banker. Our brand purpose is to always put customers, partners and stakeholders at the heart of our business, even as we standardise customer experience and excellence in financial solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, in consonance with our brand vision “To be the partner of first choice in building your future”. Our brand promise is to always deliver the ultimate “gold standard” of value and excellence. This commitment is anchored on our inherent values of passion, partnership and people, to position You First in every respect.
Folake Ani-Mumuney
Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications
