LAGOS — In a direct response to impending changes in national fiscal laws, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has organized a crucial capacity-building intervention for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The SMEConnect Webinar, scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, 2025, is strategically themed: “Strategies for SMEs: Securing Your Business Under the New Tax Law.”
The event demonstrates the premier bank’s commitment to capacity building, bringing together top government and industry experts to help SMEs navigate mandatory tax compliance ahead of the new regulations.
The Fiscal Policy Imperative
The significance of the webinar is underscored by the lineup of high-profile speakers addressing the complex challenges posed by Nigeria’s new fiscal regime:
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Keynote Address: Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, will deliver the keynote address. His participation highlights the direct link between policy formulation and implementation, offering participants authoritative insights into the new legal requirements.
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Expert Commentary: Yemi Adesanya, Financial Controller at FirstBank, will serve as a Guest Speaker, providing practical guidance on financial management and compliance strategies within the new framework.
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Host: Dr. Abiodun Famuyiwa, Head of SME Banking at FirstBank, will host the session.
Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, stated the bank’s objective is to ensure that SMEs are “not only equipped to survive but positioned to scale sustainably.” He emphasized the necessity of providing businesses with “adequate information and insights on the new requirements” as the implementation of the new policy approaches.
Focus on Formalization and Support
Beyond tax compliance, the webinar will serve as a platform to promote the benefits of business formalization and showcase the bank’s comprehensive suite of banking solutions, including the specialized FirstSME accounts, available to both registered and unregistered businesses.
The initiative leverages the extensive reach and institutional stability of FirstBank, which, with over 43 million customer accounts and a vast network of over 280,000 agent locations across Nigeria, remains a leading financial inclusion services provider in West Africa.
