FirstBank, Nigeria’s premier financial inclusion services provider, has once again demonstrated its commitment to driving economic growth and development in the country with the successful hosting of the 2023 edition of its Nigeria Economic Outlook webinar.
The virtual event, which was held on Friday, January 20th, 2023, brought together a diverse group of economic experts to deliberate and analyze national and global economic trends that will shape the year 2023.
The event, which is in its seventh edition, is designed to set the tone for the year by providing participants with an opportunity to learn directly from economic experts.
This year’s keynote speaker, Biodun Adedipe, Ph.D, the founder and Chief Consultant of B. Adedipe Associates Limited (BAA Consult), led the discussions with his wealth of knowledge and experience. Other speakers at the event included Ini Ebong, Executive Director of Treasury and International Banking at FirstBank; Tosin Adewuyi, Executive Director of Corporate Banking at FirstBank; Ugo “Ugodre” Obi-chukwu, founder of NairaMetrics; and Mosope Arubayi, an economist and global financial analyst. The event was moderated by Chike Uzoma, Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at FirstBank.
Mr Ini Ebong in his opening remarks welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of the event in providing a platform for interested players to analyze the nation’s economy in retrospect, draw lessons from the gains and pains of past years, and chart a course for adjustments, consolidation, and strategic decisions for the common good.
Participants had the opportunity to ask a variety of questions related to the Nigerian economy and ways to improve it.
The speakers, both online and physical, provided answers and insights on a range of issues including the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the economy, the Russian and Ukraine war, and its effect on the global economy. The event provided a valuable opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the economic landscape and make informed decisions for the year 2023.
As a bank that is woven into the fabric of the society, FirstBank has a legacy of supporting the growth of businesses as the engine for economic growth and development in Nigeria, across Sub-Sahara Africa and beyond.
The bank’s commitment to leading the discourse on pertinent issues of national and global interests is evident in the successful hosting of this event.
FirstBank’s Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, stated that “Our forthcoming Nigeria Economic Outlook webinar is a viable opportunity for one to be informed on key trends and activities that will shape the global socio-economic landscape in 2023. 2022 was indeed a turbulent year and from the 2023 forecast, the growth would still be slow. In addition, bearing in mind 2023 being an election year in Nigeria, like every democratic nation around the world, commercial and business activities in the country will be impacted by the forthcoming election.”
The bank’s renewed vision “to be Africa’s bank of first choice” was evident in the organization and hosting of this event, as they continue to drive the development of different sectors and industries within the economies where they operate, to support the nation’s overall economic growth and sustainability.
