FirstBank to Empower SMEs With Practical Sales Strategies

LAGOS, NIGERIA — September 5, 2026: FirstBank has announced plans to empower Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with practical sales strategies designed to help businesses attract more customers, increase revenue and achieve sustainable growth.

The initiative will take place through the third-quarter edition of the bank’s SMEConnect Webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 2026.

The webinar, themed “The SME Growth Blueprint: Practical Sales Strategies to Win Customers and Boost Revenue,” is aimed at business owners and entrepreneurs seeking practical knowledge and market insights to strengthen their businesses.

According to FirstBank, participants will learn proven approaches to improving brand visibility, attracting and acquiring customers, increasing sales conversion, building customer loyalty and developing strategies for long-term business growth.

The programme is part of FirstBank’s broader SMEConnect initiative, which provides SMEs with access to business advisory services, capacity-building programmes, financial solutions and other resources designed to support business development.

The bank said the initiative reflects its “You First” brand promise and its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs beyond traditional banking services.

Speaking ahead of the webinar, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, stressed the importance of practical sales knowledge in helping businesses translate good products and services into sustainable revenue.

Ezirim noted that while many SMEs have quality products and services, they often need practical sales strategies to unlock their full potential and convert business opportunities into growth.

Industry Experts to Speak

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

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

Supporting Nigeria’s SME Sector

FirstBank has maintained that SMEs play an important role in Nigeria’s economic development, particularly through employment generation, innovation, local production and wealth creation.

Through SMEConnect, the bank provides businesses with access to tailored financial products, advisory support, training, seminars and other resources aimed at helping entrepreneurs overcome challenges such as limited access to finance, weak business structures, marketing difficulties and inadequate managerial skills.

The upcoming webinar therefore forms part of FirstBank’s continuing efforts to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools required to compete effectively in an increasingly challenging business environment.

For many SMEs, the focus on sales is particularly significant as businesses continue to look for ways to attract new customers, retain existing ones and improve revenue despite rising operating costs and intense market competition.

FirstBank’s SMEConnect programme has, over the years,s provided capacity-building and business-support initiatives aimed at helping small businesses strengthen their operations and contribute more effectively to Nigeria’s economic growth.

The September 9 webinar is expected to provide entrepreneurs with actionable strategies that can be applied directly to their businesses, particularly in customer acquisition, sales conversion, brand visibility and customer retention.