FirstBank has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Pan-African Graduate Trainee Programme, offering young graduates a chance to build cross-border careers in key African markets. The programme is designed to cultivate future banking leaders while enhancing innovation, mobility, and leadership across FirstBank's operations in Africa.
Programme Overview
Tagged “Launch Your Future; Lead Across Africa,” the initiative targets high-potential graduates ready to learn quickly, grow boldly, and lead across the continent. Successful candidates will be deployed across seven African markets, including Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Senegal. The programme is structured to support the bank's succession planning, creating a pipeline of future leaders and improving internal career mobility across departments and directorates.
Job Description
The FirstBank Graduate Trainee Programme is tailored for fresh graduates with strong academic backgrounds and appropriate behavioural traits. It emphasises leadership development, innovation, and cross-border exposure within the banking sector.
Key Competencies and Attributes
Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills, strong analytical abilities, robust interpersonal and relationship management skills, a self-driven and results-oriented mindset, a high level of innovation and problem-solving capability, and the ability to work effectively in a team.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements: a maximum age of 27 years by 30 June 2026; a minimum of five credits in SSCE, including English Language and Mathematics; a minimum of Second-Class Lower Division (2:2) or HND Upper Credit in any discipline; and completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by 30 June 2026.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete the application process through FirstBank’s official recruitment portal before the deadline.
First HoldCo Plc Spends N385.91 Billion on Staff
First Bank is among Nigeria's highest-paying banks. Its parent company, First HoldCo Plc, in its 2025 financial statement, reported personnel expenses of N385.91 billion as of December 31, 2025, up from N308.47 billion in 2024. Although fourth-quarter personnel costs stood at N96.99 billion, this was slightly lower than the N98.07 billion recorded in the same period a year earlier.
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Nigeria’s leading banks are spending more than ever to attract and retain workers as competition for skilled professionals intensifies. An analysis of the 2025 audited financial statements of Access Holdings, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank, and Wema Bank shows that the four lenders increased their combined workforce by 12.75% to 33,675 employees, while total wages and salaries rose 27.49% to N1.05 trillion. The surge in compensation comes as banks battle inflation, rising living costs, and an aggressive talent hunt from fintech firms drawing experienced professionals away from traditional lenders.
