FirstBank's 2025 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Week is here, and it's all about making a real difference! Kicking off today, and running through November 1st, this annual event – now in its ninth year – is a powerful testament to FirstBank's dedication to community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and the global push for sustainable development. But what does this really mean? Let's dive in.
During CR&S Week, FirstBank employees across the globe, from Nigeria to the UK, and beyond (including FirstBank Gambia, Sierra Leone, DRC, Guinea, Ghana, FBNBank Senegal, First Pension, and First Nominees), will be rolling up their sleeves and dedicating their time and resources to meaningful causes. They're aligning their efforts with the bank’s overarching sustainability strategy, showing that big changes often start with small, dedicated actions.
According to Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, "CR&S Week is a call to action." She further added that it is about showing kindness, and proving that even the smallest act can ripple into lasting change. FirstBank believes that kindness is a currency that never devalues, and that is why every year since 2017, staff have gone the extra mile to give back to the communities through its SPARK initiative, while also encouraging people to perform acts of random kindness.
A key focus this year? The environment! FirstBank plans to plant at least 20,000 trees in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation. This is a crucial step in supporting Nigeria’s 2060 decarbonisation agenda. This builds on their pledge to plant a total of 50,000 trees by 2025, with an impressive 31,000 already in the ground over the past two years.
But here's where it gets really interesting: FirstBank is also tackling Sustainable Development Goal 5: Women's Empowerment. They'll be collaborating with Borno and Katsina States to provide medical interventions, including surgeries and post-care kits, for women living with Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF). This is a great example of how they are making a real difference in people's lives.
Throughout the week, the bank will promote messages of kindness, compassion, and empathy. They're hosting themed webinars centered on their 'Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness' initiative, and engaging with schools to instill these values in the next generation. The week will conclude with visits to orphanages, internally displaced persons camps, and various charitable organizations across Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa, and the UK.
FirstBank’s CR&S Week, which began in 2017, has become a powerful platform, mobilizing stakeholders and non-customers alike to champion causes that uplift lives, protect the environment, and promote inclusive development. They are encouraging and inspiring individuals to go beyond their everyday routines and perform acts of random kindness.
What do you think about FirstBank's initiatives? Do you agree that small acts of kindness can create a big impact? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
