By
Oluwakemi Abimbola
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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday laid the foundation for the new eco-friendly headquarters of the FirstBank Group in Eko Atlantic City, which he said symbolises Nigeria’s ambition and progress.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this observation at the groundbreaking ceremony for the eco-friendly headquarters of the company.

The bank has revealed that the building is a 40-story edifice set to be the tallest building in Nigeria and an engineering and environmental delight due to its technologically advanced, eco-friendly, and sophisticated construction, which would set a new standard for the financial services sector in Africa.

Shettima said, “Today we lay the foundation for a monumental structure in Nigeria’s financial landscape, the First Bank iconic tower, a symbol of our nation’s progress and ambition. This tower will stand as a testament to our economic strength and vitality. The tower, which will be the tallest building in West Africa at 40 stories upon completion, is a symbol of confidence in our country’s future. For 130 years, FirstBank has been a pillar of our economy, empowering businesses, supporting families, and driving financial innovation. FirstBank has extended its reach from Lagos to London and all around major financial centres worldwide, proudly flying Nigeria’s flag on the global stage.

“This tower will symbolise ambition and excellence in Eko Atlantic, an investment that consolidates Lagos as a leading financial hub and showcases the dynamism of Nigeria’s private sector.”

He also hailed the Chagoury Group, the brains behind the Eko Atlantic City.

“As president, I reaffirm our unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where significant investment and transformative projects like this can thrive through bold economic reforms, strategic public-private partnerships, and infrastructure development. We are ensuring that Nigeria once again becomes the top destination for investment.

“Beyond the scale of this project, we must remember that the people are what made FirstBank iconic. FirstBank’s customer base reflects the heart of Nigeria itself. Millions of men and women and children, small businesses, and MSMEs are the very backbones of our economy. FirstBank has woven itself into the social fabric of the country. It is a bank that has worked hand in hand with generations of Nigerians, driving economic progress. The symbolism of the elephant in its corporate identity speaks to our nation’s character. Elephants are strong, resilient, wise, and nurturing, carrying the wisdom of generations as they lead their herds. FirstBank embodies this spirit. Standing firm but moving forward with vision, agility, and a deep commitment to Nigeria’s prosperity. I commend FirstCo Holdings and all its stakeholders who, with their vision, have made this possible. We are not just starting a building; we are beginning a picture where Nigeria leads, prospers, and inspires. May this tower, like FirstBank, remain a monument of shared prosperity in our land,” he asserted.

The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during his goodwill message, presented the certificate of approval to the bank for it to commence construction immediately.

He said, “First Bank, as usual, has led the way. I want to thank the visionaries who created a new city that will be Africa’s model city that all of us will be proud of. Mr. Femi Otedola, well done, well done to your board, well done to your management, and CBN Governor, thank you for the approval. We want you to give other financial institutions approval as well. There is space for them as well.



https://punchng.com/tinubu-lays-foundation-for-firstbanks-new-eco-friendly-hq/