With the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector serving as a lifeline for millions of Nigerians, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the industry by hosting a Key Distributors Forum in Lagos.
The event, held in Lagos, brought together leading distributors from across the South West to discuss business financing, supply chain efficiency, and innovative tools designed to deepen growth in the sector. It also featured an award presentation to various companies under different categories.
FirstBank’s Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Alebiosu, described the forum as an extension of the bank’s customer experience and relationship management, noting that distributors are not only business partners but also integral to its financial ecosystem.
He explained that the initiative has had a positive impact on the bank’s operations by motivating distributors to do more. According to him, recognising loyalty, consistency, and the volume of business with the bank has strengthened ties over the years, with some distributors sustaining relationships for two decades and even transferring businesses across generations.
Alebiosu further assured that the forum would remain an annual event, emphasising that honouring customers is central to FirstBank’s values. “Our customers come to us daily, so we must remember them daily. Once a year, when we come together like this, it is very good,” he said.
In his opening speech, the Group Head of Transaction Banking Division at FirstBank, Mobolade Ojeahere, underscored the crucial role distributors play in ensuring FMCG products remain accessible and affordable nationwide. He said the bank would continue to provide tailored financial solutions that empower distributors and sustain economic growth.
The Unit Head for POS at the bank, Kingsley Ikezu, gave an introduction of FirstBank’s Merchant POS solutions, explaining that the platform offers instant settlements, real-time transaction monitoring, Pay with Transfer options, detailed reporting, and strong fund security, while also giving merchants access to loans and digital support.
Ikezu also addressed common misconceptions about bank loans, stressing that when properly applied, credit facilities are essential to business expansion. He further introduced the participants to the bank’s Key Distributorship Finance product, a structured scheme designed to ease working capital needs, strengthen distributor–principal ties, and boost liquidity in the FMCG value chain.
The forum also recognised outstanding distributors across sectors. Platinum awardees included Bolarinwa Olukorede Adetoun (Non-Borrowing Distributors), Laurel Electrical Company (FMCG), Transgeneration Enterprises (Cement), Vicmond Ade Ent Ltd (Loyalty), while Demmy Global Resources Limited clinched the top prize in the Telecoms category.
Diamond awards went to Opeyemi Baking Industry Limited, Demiller Farms, Ibukunoluwa Trading Stores, Tito Trading Stores and Stratford Communications Limited, among others.
Several firms, including Rukbom Oluwakemi Nig Company, Abikka Trading Company Limited, Okeoma Happiness Obioma, Glad Global Concept Limited and Awake Interlinks Nigeria Limited, also received Gold and Bronze recognitions for their contributions to the distribution ecosystem.
