FirstBank target 500,000 agents to boost financial inclusion

WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING financial inclusion across the country, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced its drive to get up to 500,000 operators on board its agent banking platform.

This was disclosed at the opening ceremony of the 12th annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) by Adesola Adeduntan,, FirstBank’s chief executive officer, who also served as the Chairman of the CIBN 2019 Conference Consultative Committee at the event held in Abuja on 24 – 25 September 2019.

The CIBN conference themed: “the future of the Nigerian banking industry – 360o” vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo as the special guest of honour.

In his remarks, Adeduntan said FirstBank would support all efforts to ensure effective financial inclusion in Nigeria.

According to him “we have a very ambitious plan to appoint about 500,000 agents across the nook and cranny of our country and to ensure that banking facilities and services are made available to all Nigerians.”

He noted that the banking sector in Nigeria remained the primary partner to the government with regards to economic growth and development in the country.

“If we do not utilise those opportunities and mainstream them properly, the country and the entire economy will be left behind,” Adeduntan stated.

In 2017, FirstBank launched its agent banking network; ‘Firstmonie Agent,’ described as its ‘Human ATM.’ The Firstmonie Agents are empowered to extend access to finance to all Nigerians, regardless of where they may be across the country.