FirstBank has officially announced Professor Kenneth Amaeshi as the inaugural occupier of the prestigious FirstBank Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair of Business Ethics at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), highlighting a major milestone in the bank’s long-standing commitment to education and ethical leadership in business.
The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair of Business Ethics was instituted in 1994 under the FirstBank Education Endowment programme in honour of Samuel Asabia, the first indigenous Managing Director of FirstBank. The endowment was created to support and fund high-level research and learning initiatives in federal universities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
As the first occupant, Professor Amaeshi is tasked with spearheading research initiatives on business ethics, mentoring professionals, and fostering a culture of integrity and responsible leadership within and beyond the university environment. His appointment signals a renewed emphasis on values-driven education in Nigeria’s corporate and academic sectors.
According to FirstBank, Professor Amaeshi brings a wealth of scholarship, practical insight, and global expertise to the role. His career spans research, teaching, and advisory positions focused on ethical leadership, sustainable business practices, and the promotion of Africapitalism, a philosophy that positions business as a vehicle for inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
Professor Amaeshi currently holds the Chair in Sustainable Finance and Governance at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, and the Chair in Sustainable Business and Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. His international scholarship has significantly influenced global discussions on responsible capitalism, corporate governance, and ethical business conduct.
Speaking on the appointment, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, said, “We are delighted to welcome Professor Kenneth Amaeshi as the first occupant of the Chair of Business Ethics. His global expertise and dedication to ethical leadership align perfectly with FirstBank’s vision of fostering sustainable development and principled business practices.”
He added that the Chair represents a platform to inspire future generations of business leaders to drive socio-economic transformation through integrity and innovation. “We are confident that Professor Amaeshi’s expertise will catalyze meaningful socio-economic impact both now and in the years to come,” Alebiosu stated.
UNILAG, in a statement, highlighted that Professor Amaeshi’s appointment underscores the university’s and FirstBank’s shared commitment to advancing scholarship, integrity, and values-driven leadership. The university noted that his presence is expected to inspire students, academics, and professionals to lead with ethics, vision, and purpose across classrooms, boardrooms, and society at large.
The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair of Business Ethics reflects a strategic collaboration between FirstBank and UNILAG, designed to nurture the next generation of business leaders through mentorship, research, and thought leadership. The initiative aligns with the broader goal of fostering sustainable finance and principled corporate governance in Nigeria and across Africa.
Professor Amaeshi’s appointment is seen as a significant step in bridging academic excellence with ethical business practices, ensuring that Nigeria’s educational and professional sectors produce leaders capable of driving socio-economic development while upholding the highest standards of integrity and corporate responsibility.
