FirstBank Offers Free AI Training to Nigerian Businesses

Small business owners across Nigeria are getting a powerful new tool to compete in the digital economy, and it won't cost them a penny.

FirstBank, one of West Africa's largest financial institutions, is hosting a free webinar on March 31st to teach small and medium enterprises how to use AI for real business growth. The session covers everything from boosting productivity to making smarter decisions with customer data.

The timing couldn't be better. While large corporations have embraced AI tools, many small businesses struggle to understand how the technology applies to their daily operations. This webinar bridges that gap with practical, actionable strategies.

Microsoft Senior AI Solutions Architect Temitope Odude will lead the session alongside FirstBank's digital and SME partnership experts. They'll show business owners how to adopt AI without needing a tech degree or massive budget.

"SMEs are the backbone of the Nigerian economy, and at FirstBank, we recognize that the economy cannot thrive without them," said Chuma Ezirim, the bank's Group Executive for e-Business and Retail Products. The bank has already disbursed over ₦1 trillion in AI-enabled instant loans to small businesses.

The Ripple Effect

This initiative reflects a growing recognition that Nigeria's economic future depends on empowering its millions of small business owners. When local enterprises thrive, they create jobs, strengthen communities, and build wealth that stays in neighborhoods.

FirstBank isn't new to supporting small businesses. The bank has won back-to-back awards as Best SME Bank in both Nigeria and Africa through 2025, plus SME Financier of the Year from The Digital Banker. These aren't vanity prizes but recognition of tangible impact on real businesses.

The webinar's theme, "AI for Business Growth: From Adoption to Integration and Scalable Impact," addresses the full journey from curiosity to implementation. Participants will learn how AI can streamline operations, strengthen customer relationships, and unlock growth that seemed impossible just months ago.

Registration is open now, and the virtual format means business owners anywhere in Nigeria can participate without travel costs or time away from their shops.

In an era when technology often feels like it's leaving small players behind, initiatives like this prove the digital revolution can work for everyone.