Prof Kenneth Amaeshi Appointed First Occupant of FirstBank Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair of Business Ethics at UNILAG
FirstBank has named Professor Kenneth Amaeshi as the inaugural holder of the FirstBank Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair of Business Ethics at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), a position established to promote ethical leadership and responsible business practices.
The Chair, instituted in 1994 under the FirstBank Education Endowment Programme, honors Samuel Asabia, the first indigenous Managing Director of the bank. It was designed to fund and encourage high-level research and learning initiatives across federal universities in Nigeria, selected to represent the country’s six geographical regions.
As the occupier of the Chair, Prof Amaeshi will lead research initiatives, mentor students and professionals, and promote a culture of integrity and principled leadership in business.
Prof Amaeshi brings extensive international experience to the role. He currently holds the Chair in Sustainable Finance and Governance at the European University Institute (EUI), Florence, Italy, and the Chair in Sustainable Business and Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. His scholarship, particularly in Africapitalism—a philosophy emphasizing business as a driver of inclusive growth and shared prosperity—has contributed to global discussions on responsible capitalism and governance.
Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director and CEO of FirstBank Group, expressed excitement over the appointment, saying, “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. This Chair is a platform to inspire generations of leaders to drive socio-economic transformation through integrity and innovation.”
The University of Lagos also welcomed the appointment, stating that Prof Amaeshi’s presence would inspire students, academics, and professionals to lead with ethics, vision, and purpose—from classrooms to boardrooms.
Through this partnership, FirstBank and UNILAG aim to advance cutting-edge research, impactful mentorship, and thought leadership that will shape the next generation of business leaders and define the future of sustainable finance in Nigeria and across Africa.