First Bank has graduated 559 delegates from its First Academy after rigorous months of training to boost its sales force.

At the closeout party for delegates, which was held at the First Academy in Iganmu, Lagos, it was revealed that the graduates emerged from the FirstBank Pan-African Graduate Trainee Programme.

The programme was an intensive, multi-disciplinary initiative designed to equip talented individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of banking.

The Group Head, Human Capital Management & Development, Muyiwa Olulaja, revealed that the training was a pan-African one as it was open in all the countries where the bank operates on the continent.

Olulaja went on to charge the delegates to break and set new records in the branches where they are posted.

He said, “The bank has made significant investments in you. Whether you studied physics or mathematics, it doesn’t really matter; today, you are now a banker. Because, again, what someone has spent four years studying at the university, banking and finance and the related, you have got a brief version of it. So, you are going to be engaged as a banker.

The knowledge already sits with you. Because it has already been embedded in you while you were in class.

“So what do I expect from you when you get into the branch? You need to go into the branch with your head and shoulders high up. Very confident. My charge to you is to ensure that you fly and fly high. My charge to you is to ensure that you demonstrate uncommon value. My charge to you is to ensure that you set your own record. Whatever record has been set, at least in the branch. Please break those records and set another one. It’s not difficult. Whatever target you are going to meet in the branch. Please set your own target higher than the one given to you by the branch. And you know what that means? It makes it easier for you to meet the one being given to you at the branch. You are still going to continue learning from the people that you meet in the branch. Because they’ve gone through this route before you, you have an opportunity to benefit from them. Accounts will be allocated to you to manage, and you will also be required to be able to go and generate your fresh accounts as well.”

Also, speaking at the event, the Head of First Academy, FirstBank, Tolulope Uwadia, said, “So these ones are graduate trainees. A lot of them have never even worked before. It’s a three-month programme. So, we are looking into building these guys and infusing them into the business. Sales as well. To go into retail banking. To support our retail banking mandates in the bank. And strengthen our retail banking in the bank.”


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