FirstBank moves to boost SMEs  sales, revenue

By Monireoluwa Lucas

FirstBank has moved to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with practical strategies to win customers, increase sales and build sustainable businesses as it hosts the third-quarter edition of its SMEConnect Webinar on September 9, 2026.

The webinar, themed “The SME Growth Blueprint: Practical Sales Strategies to Win Customers and Boost Revenue,” is part of FirstBank’s capacity-building initiative aimed at helping entrepreneurs overcome some of the challenges limiting business growth and competitiveness.

The programme, anchored on the bank’s “You First” brand promise, is designed to provide business owners with practical knowledge, market insights and access to financial and advisory solutions tailored to their needs.

Participants are expected to gain insights into strategies for improving brand visibility, attracting and retaining customers, increasing sales conversion and building customer loyalty, with the broader objective of driving sustainable business growth.

The webinar will feature Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Bags Warehouse, Helen Mojisola Ijaola; Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mamalicious Products Nigeria, Onome Gbenga-Adewara; and Group Head, Retail Banking Group, FirstBank, Olusola Ogunsakin.

Head, SME Banking, FirstBank, Helen A. Willie, will host the session, while Team Lead, SME Engagement & Advisory, FirstBank, Olajumoke Moyo-Ladipo, will serve as moderator.

Speaking ahead of the webinar, Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products, FirstBank, Chuma Ezirim, said the ability of SMEs to develop effective sales strategies was critical to converting business opportunities into sustainable revenue.

He stated: “Growth is not accidental; it is driven by the ability of businesses to create value, win customers, and convert opportunities into sustainable revenue.

“At FirstBank, we recognise that many SMEs possess great products and services but often require practical sales strategies to unlock their full potential. This SMEConnect Webinar is designed to bridge that gap by providing insights from successful business leaders who have built and scaled thriving enterprises.Through these initiatives, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to equipping SMEs with the knowledge, capacity, and support needed to accelerate growth, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s economy.”

SMEConnect is part of FirstBank’s broader efforts to support the growth and resilience of SMEs through capacity development, business advisory services and financial solutions.