FirstBank and Pointek have partnered to expand access to smartphones, laptops, tablets and household appliances through the bank’s FirstEase Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) scheme, giving eligible customers the option to spread payments over an agreed period instead of paying the full purchase price upfront.
Announced in Lagos on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the partnership brings FirstBank’s digital lending services closer to customers shopping for electronic devices and other essential products. The arrangement offers repayment periods of up to 180 days, subject to eligibility and the applicable terms.
The initiative comes as smartphones, computers and other digital devices play increasingly important roles in education, employment, business and everyday communication. For customers who cannot comfortably pay the entire cost of a needed device at once, instalment financing provides another way to manage the expense.
How FirstBank and Pointek’s BNPL Partnership Works
The partnership combines FirstBank’s financing capabilities with Pointek’s retail network and range of technology products. Eligible customers can access the FirstEase lending solution through FirstBank’s FirstMobile and LIT applications, as well as the participating merchant’s online shopping platform.
Rather than treating the full purchase price as an immediate expense, customers can apply for financing and repay the amount over an agreed period. The arrangement is intended to make selected products more accessible while allowing customers to plan their payments around their financial circumstances.
However, access to the facility is not automatic. Customers must meet the bank’s eligibility requirements and undergo the relevant credit assessment before receiving approval.
FirstEase was introduced as a digital lending solution that supports eligible purchases and selected bill payments. Its e-commerce offering allows customers to obtain products through participating merchants, while the separate bill-payment option provides financing for eligible expenses.
The partnership with Pointek extends the shopping application of the service by connecting customers seeking technology products with FirstBank’s financing platform.
What Customers Can Buy Through the Scheme
The partnership covers smartphones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices, alongside eligible household appliances available through Pointek.
These products serve different needs. A smartphone can support communication, online learning and business transactions, while a laptop may be essential for students, professionals and entrepreneurs who depend on digital tools for their work.
Household appliances also represent significant purchases for families, particularly when an existing device needs replacement or an essential item must be acquired within a limited period.
Pointek, which operates in Nigeria’s electronics retail market, sells mobile phones, computers, accessories and home appliances. Its product range includes devices from established manufacturers, although availability under FirstEase will depend on the participating merchant’s eligible products and the applicable financing arrangements.
The partnership could therefore give qualifying customers another payment option when shopping for essential devices, without requiring them to provide the entire purchase price immediately.
What FirstBank Executives Said About the Partnership
Speaking at the announcement, FirstBank’s Group Head of e-Business and Retail Products, Abednego Ugwueke, said the partnership was designed to address the financial difficulties customers encounter when purchasing electronic devices.
He explained that consumers increasingly need devices with better storage, memory and functionality to support their work and daily activities, but the upfront cost can make such purchases difficult.
Ugwueke described the initiative as a way to help customers obtain products they need while spreading payments over an agreed period.
“Our objective is to help customers access products they need in a responsible and sustainable manner,” he said, adding that customers would receive information about eligibility requirements and repayment terms to support informed decisions.
FirstBank’s Head of Personal Banking, Chukwuka Okonkwo, said the arrangement builds on the bank’s digital lending experience and investment in platforms designed to simplify access to credit.
He also explained that the service was initially being tested among salaried customers, with plans to expand its reach as the initiative develops.
Pointek’s Director of Business, Dr Godwin Ajala, highlighted the importance of mobile devices in education, employment, entrepreneurship and communication. He said affordability remained a barrier for many Nigerians seeking suitable technology products.
The partnership, he explained, combines Pointek’s access to electronic devices with FirstBank’s financing capabilities to address that challenge.
FirstEase Repayment Terms and What Buyers Should Know
Although Buy Now, Pay Later arrangements can make purchases easier to manage, customers still need to consider the full cost of borrowing.
FirstBank’s FirstEase product information outlines an instalment-based financing arrangement for eligible e-commerce purchases. The terms applicable to a transaction, including any required upfront contribution, charges, repayment schedule and approval conditions, should be reviewed before the customer accepts an offer.
A longer repayment period does not automatically make a purchase cheaper. Customers should calculate whether the instalments fit their regular income and other financial commitments, particularly when several payments fall due in the same month.
They should also distinguish between the amount paid upfront and the total amount payable throughout the repayment period.
FirstEase uses credit assessment and affordability checks to determine eligibility. Consequently, the amount a customer can access and the terms offered may differ according to the bank’s assessment.
Customers should confirm the current conditions through FirstBank’s official channels before completing a purchase.
What the FirstBank-Pointek Deal Means for Nigerian Consumers
The partnership adds another financing option for eligible Nigerians seeking smartphones, computers and household appliances without paying the entire purchase price at once.
For students, workers and entrepreneurs, access to suitable devices can support learning, productivity and income-generating activities. However, the usefulness of the arrangement will ultimately depend on the products available, the financing terms and customers’ ability to meet their repayment obligations.
By combining retail access with digital lending, FirstBank and Pointek are seeking to make essential technology purchases more manageable for qualifying buyers.
The key consideration for customers will be whether the convenience of obtaining a device immediately outweighs the total cost of financing it. Understanding the repayment conditions before committing will remain essential to making the scheme work in their favour.
