You have cleared the First Bank recruitment process and an offer is on the table. Before you sign anything, you need one number above all others: the First Bank graduate trainee salary, and exactly what it means for your monthly account balance. First Bank of Nigeria Limited is the country’s oldest operating commercial bank, with continuous operations dating back to 1894.
The institution you are about to join serves over 42 million customers across West Africa and employs more than 16,000 staff across four core business units: retail banking, corporate banking, commercial banking, and public sector banking. The brand carries real weight in Nigeria’s financial sector. This guide gives you the verified compensation figures for the 2026 cycle so you can plan before your first day.
In this article:
- Verified salary figures for First Bank graduate trainees in 2026
- Complete allowance breakdown by role and function
- Career progression and salary growth trajectory
- Benefits package at First Bank
- How First Bank salaries compare with sector peers
About First Bank of Nigeria: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1894 |
| Headquarters | Samuel Asabia House, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Industry | Commercial Banking / Financial Services |
| Operations | 820+ business locations across Africa; 233,500+ agency banking locations in Nigeria |
| Notable For | Oldest Nigerian bank; large retail and SME banking network; digital banking via First Bank Mobile |
| Graduate Programme | First Bank Graduate Trainee Programme (annual recruitment) |
| Entry Requirements | Minimum Second Class Lower (BSc) or Upper Credit (HND); age not above 27 at time of application |
Why Graduates Choose First Bank
First Bank’s appeal to graduate applicants rests on institutional depth and career stability. The bank’s scale ensures that trainees gain exposure to a diverse customer base and a broad range of banking products from the outset. Its Graduate Trainee Programme feeds directly into the bank’s internal succession planning framework, meaning the career path from trainee to senior roles is more formalised than in many peer institutions. First Bank also implemented salary adjustments in late 2024 as part of the wider industry-wide compensation review, which improved the relative competitiveness of its entry-level package. The bank’s size and reach also mean that rotation across departments and geographies is available to high performers.
First Bank Graduate Trainee Salary Breakdown (2026)
Phase 1: Training Period
First Bank enrols all graduate trainees in a structured training programme before permanent deployment. During this period, recruits receive a monthly training allowance and are exposed to branch operations through a mandatory attachment exercise.
| Training Stage | Monthly Allowance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Trainee Training Allowance | Approximately N130,000 – N150,000 | 4 months (plus 2-week branch attachment) |
| Pension / PAYE at this stage | Minimal; partially applicable | – |
Phase 2: Monthly Compensation – Executive Trainee (Full Deployment)
First Bank operates a bifurcated salary structure at entry level, with technology-aligned roles attracting a meaningfully higher package than general banking roles. This distinction reflects the wider market premium for technology talent across the Nigerian financial services sector.
| Role Category | Estimated Net Monthly Take-Home | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Technology Roles (General Banking) | Approximately N312,000 | BusinessDay, March 2025 |
| Technology-Related Roles | Approximately N420,000 | BusinessDay, March 2025 |
| Glassdoor Monthly Range (all roles) | N133,000 – N320,000 | Based on 339 Lagos submissions as of Jun 2025 |
The two-tier structure reflects First Bank’s deliberate effort to remain competitive in the technology talent market, where fintech firms and other banks actively compete for skilled graduates. Candidates applying to IT, data, or digital banking-aligned roles should expect the higher end of the range.
Annual Package – Non-Technology Track
| Item | Amount (N) |
|---|---|
| Monthly net salary x 12 months | N3,744,000 |
| 13th-month bonus (December) | Approximately N312,000 – N380,000 (gross equivalent) |
| Performance bonus (est.) | Variable; typically 5 – 10% of annual gross |
| Estimated Net First-Year Take-Home | Approximately N4,100,000 – N4,400,000 |
Year-over-Year Salary Progression
| Year / Stage | Role | Estimated Net Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Executive Trainee (non-tech) | N312,000 |
| Year 1 | Executive Trainee (technology) | N420,000 |
| Year 2 – 3 | Assistant Banking Officer | N500,000 – N650,000 |
| Year 3 – 4 | Banking Officer | N700,000 – N850,000 |
| Year 5+ | Senior Banking Officer | N950,000+ |
| Year 6 – 7 | Assistant Manager | N1,100,000+ |
Promotion at First Bank is performance-based and governed by annual review cycles. The transition from Executive Trainee to Assistant Banking Officer typically occurs within 18 to 24 months for candidates meeting performance criteria.
First Bank Benefits Package
Health and Wellbeing
- Comprehensive HMO coverage for staff and qualifying dependants
- Group life insurance as mandated by the Pension Reform Act 2014, covering 3x annual emoluments
- Dental and optical coverage under the HMO plan
Professional Development
- Structured in-house training at First Bank’s learning and development centres
- Sponsorship for professional certifications including CIBN, ICAN, and ACCA
- Performance-linked access to external training and short courses
Long-term Financial Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 10% of pensionable emoluments
- Access to staff loan schemes at preferential rates through First Bank’s internal banking products
- Annual leave allowance and structured leave entitlement
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does First Bank pay graduate trainees in 2026?
During the training period, First Bank graduate trainees receive approximately N130,000 to N150,000 per month. After deployment to full-time roles, the estimated net monthly take-home is approximately N312,000 for general banking roles and N420,000 for technology-related roles, based on BusinessDay’s March 2025 sector analysis.
Read more about the total compensation packages of the top banks in Nigeria.
Does First Bank pay differently for technology roles?
Yes. BusinessDay’s 2025 data indicates that technology-aligned positions at First Bank attract an estimated net monthly salary of N420,000, compared to approximately N312,000 for non-technology roles. This premium reflects the broader market for technology talent in Nigerian financial services.
What is the graduate programme structure at First Bank?
The First Bank Graduate Trainee Programme runs annually and includes formal classroom training, a two-week mandatory branch attachment, and subsequent permanent deployment to departments aligned with the bank’s succession planning needs. The programme targets fresh graduates aged 27 and below at the time of application.
What is the best way to manage my First Bank salary as a fresh graduate?
Automate your savings first. Set up a Rank account, auto-save 25% immediately when salary hits, and create specific Goals for different priorities.
Data Sources and Disclaimer
Salary figures are sourced from BusinessDay’s March 2025 entry-level banking salary analysis, Glassdoor Nigeria employee submissions (339 Lagos-based First Bank Graduate Trainee salary reports as of June 2025), and community-verified reports on NigerianQueries and Kashgain. First Bank of Nigeria does not officially publish its salary schedule. All figures are estimates. Individual take-home may vary based on role, location, optional deductions, and individual tax filings.
