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FirstBank has unveiled plans to introduce specialized financial services designed to better serve Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs).

In a statement on Tuesday, the bank explained that the move is part of its ongoing commitment to financial inclusion and diversity. The initiative will benefit customers who are blind, partially sighted, or physically challenged across its network.

The bank noted that its efforts align with both the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which advocates equal access to financial services.

As part of the rollout, FirstBank will provide transaction documents in Braille, audio, large print, and digital formats. ATMs will be upgraded with high-contrast screens and voice-prompt commands, while newly issued cards will feature tactile motifs and Braille inscriptions. Existing soft PINs and tokens will also be enhanced for more secure access to banking platforms. Product brochures will likewise be produced in Braille and audio to improve accessibility.

Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor, emphasised the importance of the initiative. “Everyone deserves access to financial services, whether physically or digitally. We recognise this, and we are providing financial services that are both accessible and affordable to visually impaired and physically challenged customers at all our touchpoints. We are making it possible for them to manage their accounts independently and securely,” he said.

The bank stated that the project will be rolled out in phases across all subsidiaries and branches of the FirstBank Group. According to the lender, the initiative reflects its vision of a future where individuals, regardless of physical ability, can operate their accounts without relying on third parties.

FirstBank added that the move underscores its commitment to inclusion, which is also evident in its gender equity policies. These include a female-to-male employee ratio of about 41:59, with women occupying 37% of management roles, as well as the FirstBank Women Network, which works to close the gender gap and foster greater female participation.

The bank further highlighted its membership of the UN Women network as proof of a deliberate policy aligned with the UN’s Women Empowerment Principles of ‘Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.