FirstBank Elephant Girls Crowned Zone 3 Champions, Qualify for WBLA Final Round

Lagos, 5 December 2025 — FirstBank Basketball Club of Nigeria, famously known as the “Elephant Girls”, have clinched the FIBA Africa Zone 3 title and secured qualification for the final round of the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA), slated for 5–14 December 2025 in Cairo, Egypt.

The Elephant Girls delivered a dominant display at the Zone 3 Qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, winning all three of their games. Nigeria’s sole representative at the tournament, the team outclassed tough opponents from Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic, Ghana, and Togo.

Their flawless run featured a decisive 66–55 victory over home favourites CSA of Côte d’Ivoire and a thrilling 63–59 comeback triumph over FBA of Côte d’Ivoire, after recovering from a 20-point deficit in the second quarter.

This exceptional performance—driven by grit, discipline, teamwork, and mental fortitude—marks the Elephant Girls’ triumphant return to continental basketball after a six-year break. As Zone 3 champions and the only English-speaking team to advance, the squad has once again demonstrated FirstBank’s enduring commitment to elevating women’s sports in Nigeria and beyond.

Reacting to the qualification, FirstBank’s Group Head, Human Capital Management & Development and Chairman of the Sports Council, Olumuyiwa Olulaja, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the Elephant Girls for their outstanding performance. They have once again shown the world the strength, resilience, and excellence that define FirstBank.
“At FirstBank, we remain committed to supporting sports in Nigeria and Africa, and this victory is another major milestone in our mission to promote excellence at continental and global levels.”

The Elephant Girls earned the right to represent Nigeria at the WBLA Qualifiers after securing a Silver Medal at the Zenith Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Women’s Premier League.

With their place in Cairo confirmed, the Elephant Girls are set to display their talent on the continental stage once more—flying the flag for Nigeria and the FirstBank brand as they chase history in the final round of the Women’s Basketball League Africa.

ZENITH BANK CELEBRATES TECH EXCELLENCE, REWARDS HACKATHON WINNERS WITH ₦140 MILLION AT TECH FAIR 5.0

Zenith Bank Plc has rewarded ten African innovators with a total of ₦140 million in cash prizes following a highly competitive Hackathon and Startup Pitch Competition at the 5th Edition of the Zenith Tech Fair, themed “Future Forward 5.0: Tech for Success – Innovate, Adapt, Accelerate.”
The event held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This year’s Tech Fair, which attracted thousands of developers, founders, and entrepreneurs from across Africa, featured a dual-competition format comprising a high-stakes Hackathon for product builders and a Startup Pitch Competition for early-stage ventures.

From over 2,000 applicants in the Zecathon, ten finalists emerged and shared the ₦140 million prize pool. Two standout winners—the champions of each category—received ₦30 million each:

Trust Loop — Winner, Hackathon category, for its seamless digital KYC and liveness verification solution.

Cubbes Technologies Limited — Winner, Startup Pitch Competition, for its AI-powered EdTech platform designed to enhance learning and career readiness.

The remaining eight finalists—Venille Ltd, Sowota, FLOW, InvoPay, Zenith Intelliscore, The Very Hacked Men, Konfam, and Zerax—each received ₦10 million in non-dilutive funding. All ten teams will also undergo a six-week mentorship and incubation programme from December 2025 to February 2026.

Leadership Voices: A Future Built on Tech

In her welcome address, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank, praised the visionary leadership of the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Dr. Jim Ovia, CFR, whose foresight birthed the Zenith Tech Fair.

Reflecting on the year’s theme, she noted:

> “The next technological breakthrough will not take a lifetime… and it could come from anyone in this room today. We stand ready to support you to turn your ideas into reality.”

Delivering his goodwill message, Jim Ovia reaffirmed the bank’s long-term commitment to nurturing African tech talent:

> “My vision is to empower the youth through technology—with the hope that one day we will produce the likes of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Jeff Bezos.”

Also speaking, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu emphasized the urgent need for youth-focused tech initiatives:

> “By 2050, half of the world’s youth will be in Africa—and many will be in Lagos. We must give them opportunities and space to fly.”

A Gathering of Global Minds

The 2025 Tech Fair showcased cutting-edge innovations across Generative AI, Agentic AI, and Cloud Computing, with keynote sessions delivered by:

Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, MD, M-PESA Africa

Jonas Kjellberg, Co-creator, Skype

Dr. Shivagami Gugan, Chief Technologist, AWS (Middle East, Turkey & Africa)

Goodwill messages also came from Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, and Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State, represented by the State Head of Service, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Idris.

The fair featured exclusive masterclasses led by global giants such as McKinsey & Company, Huawei, Check Point, and Microsoft, covering cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and emerging digital disruptions.

Additional highlights included engaging panel sessions moderated by CNN Anchor Zain Asher, with distinguished tech ecosystem leaders including Adaora Nwodo, Aisha Tofa, Dr. Stanley Jacob, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Gary Fowler, and Bradwin Roper.

A vibrant musical performance by Nigerian artist Spyro added colour to the event.

A Legacy of Excellence

Zenith Bank continues to consolidate its reputation as a powerhouse in African banking, with multiple prestigious awards in 2025 alone—including:

Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital (16th consecutive year) — The Banker

Nigeria’s Best Bank—Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025

Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria—World Finance Banking Awards (2021–2025)

Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria—International Banker Awards (2023 & 2024)

Other recognitions include accolades from BusinessDay BAFI Awards, Global Finance, Ethical Boardroom, ThisDay, New Telegraph, and Nairametrics, solidifying Zenith Bank’s leadership in governance, innovation, retail banking, and sustainability.

Alpha Morgan Bank Economic Review Webinar (18th Edition) Holds in November

Alpha Morgan is set to host the 18th edition of its periodic Alpha Morgan Economic Review Webinar, scheduled for 26 November 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., live on Zoom.

This session marks the final webinar for the year and continues the tradition of providing clear, credible, and timely economic intelligence, including a thoughtful breakdown of the most recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting in November and its implications for the economy.

This edition features renowned economist Bismarck Rewane, whose depth of insight and practical analysis have consistently shaped conversations around Nigeria’s economic direction. His participation makes the webinar a valuable platform for business leaders, policymakers, investors, and professionals seeking a grounded understanding of the current economic climate.

Over time, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review Webinar series has become a respected space for informed discussions on economic trends and market shifts. Participants benefit from expert interpretations of key indicators and emerging developments that influence the financial environment.

Beyond analysis, attendees will gain a powerful year-end overview of the economy, insights into unfolding patterns, and a clearer picture of what 2026 may hold. The webinar remains one of the most reliable platforms for those seeking real understanding—not guesswork.

Attendees can expect an engaging and insightful session that reviews the economic year, highlights emerging trends, and offers guidance on what to anticipate in the months ahead.

The public is invited to be a part of the conversation.

Date: 26 November 2025

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Location: Online via Zoom

Register here: https://bit.ly/JoinAMERSeries18