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In an exclusive interview with Arise TV during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Olusegun Alebiosu, CEO of FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution, emphasized poverty eradication as a critical issue that demands the attention of global leaders. Alongside poverty, Alebiosu highlighted climate change and gender inequality as equally urgent challenges requiring immediate action.
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Alebiosu pointed out that poverty stems primarily from a lack of access to essential resources, with finance playing a crucial role in lifting people out of poverty. “The easiest way to escape poverty is through access to finance,” he remarked, underscoring the vital role financial inclusion plays in combating economic hardship in the 21st century.
During the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit, key topics of discussion included innovative and sustainable financing, as well as the profound impact of artificial intelligence on humanity. Alebiosu stressed the importance of human resource development to bridge the growing economic gap between developed and developing nations. His call for investing in human capital echoes the United Nations’ broader focus on sustainable development, gender equality, climate action, and fair wages.
As a leading financial expert in Nigeria and Africa, Alebiosu has positioned financial inclusion as a key pillar of FirstBank’s commitment to supporting poverty alleviation, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2023, FirstBank extended over ₦36 billion in loans to women as part of its gender market strategy to support women entrepreneurs. Additionally, the bank’s expansive Firstmonie agents’ network exceeded 232,000 agents in Nigeria, with over 55,000 women serving as agents. This extensive network offers vital financial services to underserved communities, demonstrating the role of financing in driving economic empowerment and development.
Looking to the future, Alebiosu expressed his vision for FirstBank’s continued role in Nigeria’s economic growth, stating, “FirstBank will further entrench itself into the fabric of society, earning a place in the hearts and minds of Nigerians as a giant advocate for economic development across Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”
The UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit is an annual event that brings together business leaders, UN officials, government representatives, and civil society to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s summit, held in New York on September 24, 2024, provided a platform for innovative solutions and actionable insights aimed at promoting global sustainable development.
