FirstBank adds Google Pay so cardholders can tap to pay worldwide

FirstBank customers with eligible cards can now add them to Google Pay and pay by tapping a compatible phone or device at supported terminals, the bank said.

The integration, announced on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, means cardholders can pay without physically presenting their cards, both in Nigeria and at supported terminals abroad. The bank said customers also get faster checkout and the security features built into Google Pay.

For the everyday customer, it is one more way to pay for fuel, food, transport or online purchases without reaching for a card. It also matters for Nigerians who travel or shop on foreign websites, since Google Pay is accepted in many countries.

FirstBank said the move is part of its push to make everyday banking simpler and to reach more people who are not yet fully served by formal banking.

What the bank said

Abednego Ugwueke, FirstBank's Group Head of e-Business and Retail Products, said the bank keeps improving its digital tools to fit customers' lifestyles.

"The integration of Google Pay is another significant step in our digital transformation journey," he said.

He added that eligible cardholders would have a payment option accepted wherever Google Pay is supported, and that the bank remains focused on security, convenience and reliability.

The Google Pay option sits alongside FirstBank's existing digital channels, including its LIT App, FirstMobile, FirstOnline, FirstDirect and its range of payment cards.

What happens next

The bank did not say exactly which cards qualify as "eligible" or whether there are fees attached. Customers who want to use the service should check with FirstBank on whether their card is supported and how to add it to Google Pay.

The announcement comes as Nigerian banks increasingly roll out contactless and wallet-based payments, chasing customers who prefer to transact on their phones rather than with cash or plastic.