NCOY 2023: FirstBank, JAN Partner to Empower Over One Million Secondary School Students ’

FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, has partnered with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) to empower over one million secondary school students, through the National Company of the Year (NCOY) 2023 Competition to build fulfilling careers, be financially conscious and influence their economic prowess.

Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FBN, Folake Ani-Mumuney, disclosed this at the NCOY 2023 Competition themed, ‘Breaking barriers’, organised by JAN held at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ani-Mumuney, who was represented by the Head Brands and Stakeholders Management, Olayinka Ijabiyi, noted that the NCOY annual competition has created a platform for the participation of students not only to succeed in bridging the classroom and the workplace for children and young adults but has continued to influence their economic prowess to ‘make life’ by being creative and innovative solution providers.

According to him, the overarching goal of the Junior Achievement Company Program to empower young people to own their economic success by enhancing the relevance of education is in line with FirstBank’s FutureFirst Initiative, which is our financial literacy and career counselling programme, which was established to promote financial inclusion amongst the youth.

“The program is also in alignment with the broader education pillar of our sustainability agenda, particularly our engagement with our communities. The initiative, also, aims at empowering secondary school students to build fulfilling careers and be financially conscious and savvy from a young age as we aim at helping young people gain the tools and knowledge to make effective and informed financial management decisions and achieve long-term financial independence.”

Ijabiyi explained that the FirstBank’s sponsorship of the JAN NCOY competition and by extension, the Africa Company of the Year- ACOY) enters its 13th year and the bank is extremely excited by the success it has achieved over the past years.

“One interesting thing is that the projects address problems which are very pertinent in contemporary society. This includes climate change and waste management challenges. Please I crave your indulgence to allow me to acknowledge the 13 student companies who are the finalists in this year’s competition”, he said.

Also, speaking at the event, the Executive Director of JAN, Foluso Gbadamosi, said that the NCOY competition as an annual tradition, a symbol of achievement and excellence in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation.

In her words, “today, 13 students companies from various regions of Nigeria will showcase their remarkable business products or services alongside solutions their businesses proffer in

their communities and by extension, the world at large. These budding entrepreneurs have demonstrated tenacity from hundreds of students which is why they’ve come this far.

“These students have honed essential life skills such as creativity, teamwork, leadership,

problem-solving, critical thinking, and public speaking, all thanks to the selfless dedication of volunteers, teachers, and organisations such as Boeing Company, ACT Foundation and Citi Foundation for their immense support in sponsoring the regional implementation of the Company Program. These skills will undoubtedly pave the way for their success on a global scale.

“We are deeply honoured to collaborate with FBN a consistent supporter in nurturing and shaping the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative skills of these young minds.

“NCOY competition has nurtured and developed young, innovative leaders equipped with a passion for entrepreneurship and excellence in a global economy”, she added.