FirstBank has expanded its digital banking services with the launch of a 24-hour self-service banking centre at the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, as the financial institution seeks to improve customer access and attract more young Nigerians to its digital platforms.
The bank commissioned the Digital Xperience Centre (DXC) on Tuesday, November 3, at the university’s permanent site in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory. The facility will serve students, university employees and residents of nearby communities who need access to banking services beyond the operating hours of conventional branches.
The development represents another step in FirstBank’s efforts to bring financial services closer to customers, particularly within educational institutions where students frequently require convenient ways to manage their finances.
Furthermore, the initiative addresses some of the difficulties associated with accessing banking services on university campuses, where students sometimes travel outside their institutions to complete transactions that require physical banking facilities.
FirstBank Introduces Round-the-Clock Banking for University Students
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, FirstBank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Alebiosu, explained that the Digital Xperience Centre would operate continuously, allowing customers to access selected banking services throughout the day and night.
Unlike traditional banking halls, which operate within specific business hours, the new facility will remain available 24 hours a day, including weekends and public holidays. Consequently, students and other customers will have greater flexibility when carrying out financial transactions.
The centre offers several self-service options, including cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque payments, fund transfers and account balance enquiries. Customers can also obtain account statements without depending on bank officials to complete these routine requests.
In addition, the facility provides account maintenance services and allows customers to replace lost ATM cards. Users can also update their registered telephone numbers and email addresses through the available self-service channels.
Alebiosu said the bank introduced the facility to make banking more convenient while encouraging customers to embrace technology-driven financial services. He also emphasised the importance of reaching younger customers, particularly students who are increasingly familiar with digital platforms and automated services.
Meanwhile, the bank intends to extend the Digital Xperience Centre model to other university campuses as part of its broader digital transformation strategy. The expansion could strengthen its presence among younger customers while improving access to financial services in educational communities.
FirstBank Integrates Biometric Security Into Its Digital Banking Centre
Although automated banking offers greater convenience, protecting customers’ accounts remains an important consideration. For this reason, FirstBank has incorporated several security measures into the new facility to reduce the risks of unauthorised access and fraudulent transactions.
The security system includes fingerprint verification, facial recognition and one-time passwords (OTPs), which provide additional layers of authentication when customers access selected services.
Furthermore, customers must complete additional verification procedures before making sensitive changes to their account information, including updates to their registered telephone numbers and email addresses.
At the commissioning ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, welcomed the development and highlighted its potential benefits for the university community.
He explained that the centre would make banking services more accessible to students and employees, reducing the need to leave the campus whenever they require certain financial services.
However, the Vice-Chancellor also raised concerns about the possibility of vandalism and other security challenges that could affect the facility. To address these concerns, he disclosed that the university and FirstBank had made arrangements for round-the-clock surveillance.
The security arrangements are expected to protect the equipment and ensure that customers can continue using the facility without unnecessary interruptions.
Digital Banking Competition Expands Across Nigeria
The introduction of the FirstBank 24-hour banking centre reflects the growing investment in technology-driven financial services across Nigeria, where commercial banks continue to explore ways to improve customer experience and reduce dependence on traditional banking halls.
As more customers adopt mobile and automated banking, financial institutions are also looking beyond conventional branches to provide services in locations where people study, work and conduct their daily activities.
University campuses offer an important opportunity for this expansion because they bring together large populations of young people who require convenient access to financial services.
For FirstBank, the new facility provides an opportunity to strengthen its relationship with university students while introducing them to a wider range of digital banking options.
The success of the initiative will depend on customer adoption, reliable service delivery and the bank’s ability to maintain adequate security as it considers expanding the model to other institutions.
