FirstBank Renews Official Banking Partnership With Calabar Entertainment Festival

First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. has renewed its partnership with the Calabar Entertainment Conference and Festival (CECF) as the event’s Official Banking Partner for the second consecutive year.

The organisers of the festival, Hit FM, the leading radio station in Cross River State, announced the renewed partnership in a statement.

The partnership, according to the organisers, underscores FirstBank’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s creative economy and supporting platforms that foster innovation, entrepreneurship, investment and sustainable economic growth.

Now in its 10th edition, the Calabar Entertainment Conference and Festival has become one of Nigeria’s foremost gatherings for stakeholders in the creative and entertainment industries.

The festival brings together policymakers, business leaders, investors, artists, media professionals, content creators and young entrepreneurs to explore opportunities shaping the future of Africa’s creative sector.

Patrick Ugbe, Executive Producer of CECF and Chief Executive Officer of Hit FM, described FirstBank’s continued support as a strong endorsement of the festival’s vision.

“Having FirstBank return as our Official Banking Partner for the second consecutive year is both an honour and a vote of confidence in what we are building,” Ugbe said.

He said the partnership went beyond sponsorship, noting that it reflected a shared belief that the creative industry was a powerful driver of economic development, job creation, youth empowerment and national growth.

“We are excited to continue this journey with an institution whose legacy of excellence spans over 132 years,” he said.

The organisers said FirstBank’s support as a Platinum Sponsor of the event was anchored on First@Arts, the bank’s flagship initiative dedicated to advancing the arts ecosystem across Africa.

Through First@Arts, FirstBank provides strategic funding, visibility and capacity-building support to artists, curators, galleries, festivals and cultural institutions.

The initiative is aimed at preserving African heritage, promoting creative enterprise and positioning the arts as a key driver of economic growth and cultural diplomacy across the continent.

Olayinka Ijabiyi, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, said the bank remained committed to enabling success and creating value for its customers and the communities it served.

“At FirstBank, we remain committed to enabling success and creating value for our customers and the communities we serve,” Ijabiyi said.

He said the continued partnership with CECF aligned with the bank’s strategic focus on supporting the creative economy by providing platforms that inspire innovation, encourage entrepreneurship and unlock opportunities for sustainable growth.

“We are proud to once again partner with this important initiative and will continue to provide support for the creative arts ecosystem through First@Arts,” he said.

The two-day event will feature keynote addresses, masterclasses, panel discussions and networking sessions designed to strengthen collaboration across the creative value chain.

As the Official Banking Partner, FirstBank is expected to play a central role in enhancing the festival experience while reinforcing its position as a trusted financial institution committed to supporting innovation, enterprise and national development.

The organisers said the Calabar Entertainment Conference and Festival continued to position Cross River State as a leading destination for creative exchange, cultural tourism and entertainment business in Africa.

They added that the festival would continue to bring together some of the brightest minds in the sector to shape the future of the creative and entertainment industry.