First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has emerged as Nigeria’s Best SME-Focused Bank for 2025 after topping industry-wide lending data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which formed the basis of the award.
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) conferred the award during its 60th Annual Bankers’ Dinner in Lagos, saying FCMB accounted for 24 per cent of the banking sector’s N1.8 trillion total SME loan disbursements in 2024.
CIBN said the recognition reflected FCMB’s strong role in driving small business growth across high-performing sectors captured in the Q3 2024 Gross Domestic Product Report.
These include Crop Production, Trade, Telecommunications, Real Estate, and Food, Beverage and Tobacco.
The institute added that the evaluation relied on CBN’s monitoring of financial institutions’ contributions to Nigeria’s enterprise ecosystem, noting that FCMB maintained the largest share of SME credit within the banking industry.
FCMB said its interventions target the real engines of the economy and are supported by training programmes, advisory services, and partnerships that help entrepreneurs scale sustainably.
Speaking at the event, FCMB Managing Director, Yemisi Edun, represented by Executive Director of Wholesale Banking, Obaro Odeghe, said the award affirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering small businesses.

“We are truly honoured to be recognised by the CIBN based on data from the Central Bank of Nigeria,” she said.

She added that SMEs remain the backbone of the economy and that the bank would continue to provide accessible finance, technology, and expert guidance to strengthen productivity and national development.

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CIBN noted that the awards were instituted to showcase progress and resilience in the financial sector. It also highlighted the recognition of an FCMB staff member, Tooritsemoshe Ojei, who received the Next Generation Class of 2025 Award for outstanding performance and leadership potential.