FirstBank re-elected to the board of advisors of PCI SSC

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s most valuable bank brand has reaffirmed its leadership position in corporate governance and risk management with its re-election into the Board of Advisors of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) for the second consecutive time.  PCI SSC is an open, global forum for the development of payment card security standards.

The PCI Security Standards Council works with organizations around the world to protect businesses and consumers against data theft by continuously developing new payment security standards, cyber security training courses, and certification programmes.

Lara Nwokedi, Head of Information Security management at First Bank of Nigeria Limited would represent FirstBank on the Board of PCI SSC in the fight against payment fraud and data breaches globally.

Nwokedi, a payment card industry professional, security lead auditor and implementer, has many years’ experience in information security and has led several initiatives in the Bank. Mrs. Nwokedi will be supported in this function by Emmanuel Okoroji who will be the alternate for FirstBank on the Board of Advisors of PCI SSC.


FirstBank has been the only African Bank elected to the PCI SSC Board since its inception. The Bank’s re-election into the Board underpins its commitment to the protection of customer assets and information while maintaining a safe and secure environment for customer transactions.

According to the GMD/CEO of the Bank, Bisi Onasanya, “FirstBank in its tradition of being a pioneering institution has continued to attract both local and international recognition as an outstanding brand. It is in recognition of this astute tradition, the PCI Security Standards Council through an open and well contested electoral process re-elected FirstBank on its Board of Advisors, a feat which no African Bank has achieved in the long history of the PCI SSC”.

Among many duties, board members provide directional and technical input on matters of focus, vital for maintaining the security standards that protect digital purchasing and payments. Areas of importance include new cybercrime tactics, public-private-law enforcement information sharing, app development and merchant needs in developing economies. The Board of Advisors represents the Council’s 1,000 Participating Organizations and security assessors worldwide to ensure global industry involvement in the development of PCI Security Standards.