First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced plans to host its upcoming SMEConnect Webinar aimed at equipping small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs with practical knowledge on leveraging Artificial Intelligence, AI for business growth.
The virtual event, scheduled for March 31, 2026, is themed “AI for Business Growth: From Adoption to Integration and Scalable Impact.” It is designed to help SMEs navigate the evolving digital economy by adopting innovative tools to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and improve customer engagement.
The webinar will feature industry experts, including Temitope Odude, Senior AI Solutions Architect at Microsoft, who is expected to provide insights on integrating AI into everyday business processes.
Other speakers include Abednego Ugwueke, Head of Digital Channels, and Ibidun Adedewe, Head of SME Acquisition and Partnerships at FirstBank.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, described SMEs as the backbone of the Nigerian economy, stressing the bank’s commitment to supporting their growth through innovation.
“SMEs are the backbone of the Nigerian economy, and at FirstBank, we recognise that the economy cannot thrive without them,” he said, noting that the bank has leveraged AI-enabled credit scoring to disburse over ₦1 trillion in loans to micro-SMEs.
He added that the initiative is part of efforts to provide business owners with practical insights and tools to scale sustainably in a competitive marketplace.
The SMEConnect Webinar series remains one of FirstBank’s flagship platforms for empowering entrepreneurs with strategic knowledge and business support.
The bank has also received multiple recognitions for its SME-focused initiatives, including awards for Best SME Bank in Nigeria and Africa, as well as SME Financier of the Year.
Interested participants are encouraged to register ahead of the session to gain access to expert-led discussions on AI-driven business transformation.
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