In a significant move blending finance, technology, and academia, First Bank of Nigeria has officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art Digital Xperience Centre (DXC) at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). This facility marks a pivotal step in the bank’s strategy to embed its services within educational ecosystems, fostering a new model of community-centric, tech-driven banking.
Beyond a Banking Hall: Redefining the Financial Ecosystem
At the launch event, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, positioned the DXC as far more than a conventional branch or ATM gallery. “This represents a step towards redefining how banking connects with education, technology, and the community,” he stated. The centre is conceived as a dynamic gateway, offering a smarter, faster, and more personalised financial journey. [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]] It is equipped with cutting-edge self-service terminals designed to handle a comprehensive suite of transactions—from account opening and cash deposits/withdrawals to updating personal details and lodging complaints—all with top-tier security and efficiency.
A Direct Response to Evolving Customer Needs
Alebiosu addressed a common concern head-on, assuring that such digital innovations are not precursors to job losses. Instead, they are a necessary response to scalability challenges. “More people are accessing banking services, but physical banking platforms are not expanding as fast,” he explained. The DXC acts as a complement to traditional branches, alleviating crowding and reducing customer frustration by providing a 24/7, weekend-inclusive service point. This model allows bank staff to focus on complex, advisory services while routine transactions are seamlessly handled digitally.
The UNIBEN Partnership: Creating a Hub for Innovation
The choice of a premier university as the location is strategic. This partnership transforms the DXC into a living lab and access hub for students, faculty, and the surrounding community. UNIBEN’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, expressed clear enthusiasm for the centre’s potential: “It will expand the scope of our staff and faculty and improve our operations. Ours is a large university and we are pleased that the bank chose to bring it here.” The centre serves a dual purpose: it provides unparalleled convenience for the university community while simultaneously exposing the next generation of leaders—the students—to advanced financial technology in their daily environment.
Aligning with Broader Strategic Goals
The launch is deeply aligned with First Bank’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The DXC directly promotes financial inclusion by lowering barriers to access, enhances digital literacy by familiarising users with intuitive technology, and champions sustainable technology by offering paperless, energy-efficient services. This initiative is a tangible manifestation of the bank’s pledge to drive positive societal impact alongside business growth.
[[PEAI_MEDIA_X]] The FirstBank Digital Xperience Centre at UNIBEN is more than a new service point; it is a prototype for the future of integrated, community-embedded banking. It demonstrates how financial institutions can move beyond transactional relationships to become enablers of education, technological adoption, and inclusive economic participation.
Report by Imelda Osayande for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Sam Oditah.
