FirstBank, a premier financial institution in West Africa, has announced the introduction of inclusive banking services designed for blind, partially sighted and physically challenged customers across its network.
The initiative forms part of the Bank’s continuous commitment to financial inclusion, diversity and non-discriminatory service delivery.
It builds on FirstBank’s existing gender diversity policies, which currently reflect a female-to-male employee ratio of 41:59 and 37 percent female representation in management roles.
The Bank also operates the FirstBank Women Network and is a member of UN Women, aligning with the Women’s Empowerment Principles on equal opportunity and inclusion.
Patrick Akhidenor, Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, stated that the initiative reinforces the Bank’s drive to provide accessible and affordable financial services.
“Everyone deserves access to financial services whether physically or digitally. We recognise this, and we are providing financial services that are both accessible and affordable to visually impaired and physically challenged customers at all our touchpoints. We are making it possible for them to manage their accounts independently and securely,” Akhidenor said.
The phased implementation will cover all FirstBank subsidiaries and locations. Transaction documents will be available in braille, audio, large print, and digital formats. ATMs will be upgraded with high-contrast screens and voice-prompt commands.
Debit and credit cards will feature tactile motifs and braille inscriptions to enhance recognition, while soft PINs and tokens will be further strengthened to guarantee secure access.
In addition, product brochures will be distributed in braille and audio formats to aid customer understanding.
The program aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, both of which advocate equal access to financial services.
By embedding accessibility features into its operations, FirstBank is setting a new benchmark for inclusive banking in Nigeria and West Africa.
The Bank noted that the move is not only aimed at compliance with global standards but also at ensuring that every individual can manage their financial affairs without third-party reliance.
