Theme: “Business Ethics and the Future of Nigeria’s Economy”
Date & Venue: Thursday, September 3, 2026 | University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos
Key Speaker / Chair Occupant: Prof. Kenneth Amaeshi (Professor of Business and Sustainable Development)
In a landmark gathering designed to reshape business practices across West Africa, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) will host the inaugural public lecture of the Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance on September 3, 2026. Taking place at the University of Lagos under the theme “Business Ethics and the Future of Nigeria’s Economy,” this convening brings together C-suite executives, founders, policymakers, researchers, and ambitious students to establish a new blueprint for corporate integrity.
Honoring a Legacy
The Professorial Chair was established in honor of Samuel Asabia, FirstBank’s first indigenous Managing Director, whose visionary leadership set gold-standard benchmarks for banking excellence in Nigeria. The initiative actively funds academic research, policy formulation, and high-level dialogue centered on transparent business leadership.
FirstBank Managing Director and CEO Olusegun Alebiosu, who will chair the event, stressed that sustainable economic progress cannot happen without ethical foundations. He noted that sound governance protects financial systems, builds brand trust, and accelerates national growth, making this lecture a crucial convergence point for decision-makers.
Key Reasons to Attend: Practical Value for Entrepreneurs and Leaders
Attending this public lecture offers direct, practical benefits for professionals across every sector of the economy:
For Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Learn how integrating transparent corporate governance and ethical decision-making protects your venture from compliance risks, enhances brand reputation, and makes your business attractive to foreign direct investment.
For Corporate Executives & Managers: Discover modern risk-management frameworks to build resilient organizational cultures, resolve complex ethical dilemmas, and align operations with global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
For Policymakers & Regulators: Engage in strategic discussions on drafting policy frameworks that encourage fair competition, curb institutional corruption, and foster a stable macroeconomic climate.
For Academics, Students & Researchers: Connect directly with cutting-edge economic insights presented by the chair occupant, Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, an internationally acclaimed authority on sustainable finance and business ethics.
Unrivaled Networking: Connect directly with industry captains, financial leaders, and public sector strategists shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
Under the stewardship of Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, the Samuel Asabia Chair serves as a vital bridge connecting academic rigor with practical market strategy. In an increasingly complex global marketplace, Nigerian companies must demonstrate strong institutional governance to compete effectively and build long-term value.
By bringing together academia and the private sector at the University of Lagos, FirstBank reinforces its commitment to empowering Nigeria’s next generation of principled business leaders, ensuring that economic progress remains grounded in accountability, sustainability, and trust.
