Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director of FirstBank Group, highlighted the institution’s commitment to bridging financing gaps and harnessing digital advancements to tackle the challenges confronting businesses within vital sectors of the economy.
He conveyed these perspectives during a breakfast session at the 31st Nigeria Economic Summit held in Abuja, centered on the theme “Expanding Access to Finance and Driving Growth Across Middle Market and Emerging Corporate Segments.”
Alebiosu emphasized that the foundation of a country’s economic success lies in the robustness of its real sector, with accessible finance playing a pivotal role in unlocking its full potential.
“This focus is intentional, aimed at sparking sustainable development and inclusion where it matters most,” he stated.
He elaborated that FirstBank actively supports Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and emerging corporate clients by providing tailored financial solutions designed to stimulate growth along their value chains and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic progress.
Stressing the value of collaboration, Alebiosu noted that effective partnerships among government officials, industry leaders, and technology pioneers are crucial to achieving sustainable and impactful development.
“By fostering robust alliances across policy, industry, and technology sectors, we can cultivate an ecosystem that encourages innovative business ventures. This is the essence of today’s discussion,” he added.
With a legacy exceeding 131 years, FirstBank remains a trusted ally for SMEs and large enterprises alike, delivering all-encompassing banking services that fuel innovation, strengthen resilience, and support economic diversification.
Mrs. Aishatu Bubaram, Group Executive of Commercial Banking for the North Division, also contributed to the summit, underscoring the critical influence of middle market and emerging corporate businesses in shaping Nigeria’s economic trajectory.
She described these enterprises as vibrant drivers of employment, innovation, and sector diversification, particularly in fields such as agribusiness, healthcare, digital innovation, and light manufacturing.
Bubaram acknowledged that despite their promising outlook, these businesses frequently face persistent hurdles such as limited capital access, inadequate advisory support, and fragile operational structures.
“At FirstBank, we recognize that addressing these challenges goes beyond conventional banking-it is a vital national imperative,” she affirmed.
She reiterated the bank’s enduring dedication to nurturing enterprise development and resilience, leveraging technology to unlock fresh opportunities, and fostering partnerships that empower businesses throughout Nigeria.
“This conversation transcends traditional financial services; it invites us to rethink how finance can promote inclusion, how policy can build enabling environments, and how collective action can transform Nigeria’s entrepreneurial energy into broad-based economic growth,” Bubaram concluded.