First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has taken the top spot in Nigeria’s small business financing space, earning the title of Best SME Focused Bank for 2025 from the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
The award, presented at the 60th Annual Bankers Dinner in Lagos, highlights FCMB’s dominant role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
The bank accounted for 24 percent of the banking industry’s N1.8 trillion SME disbursements in 2024, the highest share in the country.
According to the bank, the recognition is not accidental but the result of a steady focus on sectors that power Nigeria’s economy. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that FCMB’s lending footprint aligns with the highest-growth segments recorded in Q3 2024. These include crop production, trade, telecommunications, real estate, and food and beverages.
Industry-wide lending data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) formed the basis for the award, highlighting FCMB’s data-driven reputation in the SME ecosystem.
Beyond financing, the bank continues to invest in entrepreneurs through capacity-building programmes, advisory support, and strategic partnerships designed to help small businesses scale.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Managing Director, Yemisi Edun, the Executive Director of Wholesale Banking, Obaro Odeghe, said the honour strengthens the bank’s resolve to power small business growth.
Odeghe noted that Nigerian entrepreneurs remain the backbone of the economy and that FCMB would continue providing accessible finance, digital tools, and expert guidance to help them thrive. He also noted that supporting SMEs translates to improved productivity and stronger national development.
The night also featured another recognition for the bank, as FCMB staff member Tooritsemoshe Ojei was named among the Next Generation Class of 2025 for excellence and leadership potential.
The CIBN said that the awards were created to spotlight resilience and progress within the financial sector.
FCMB’s latest honour adds to a growing list of awards celebrating its impact, including recognition from the Mastercard Foundation, the Global SME Finance Forum, and the Development Bank of Nigeria.
The bank says it remains committed to driving inclusive growth by connecting people, capital, and markets across Nigeria and within the diaspora.
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