Polaris Bank and NCF Expand Tree Planting Initiative Across Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna
Polaris Bank, in collaboration with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), has broadened its nationwide tree planting campaign to include key locations in Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna States. The latest activities took place at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in Ogun, and Sardauna College in Kaduna.
Launched in 2024 during Polaris Bank’s World Environment Day celebration, the initiative underscores the bank’s dedication to combating climate change, lowering carbon emissions, and fostering sustainable environmental practices throughout Nigeria.
The Lagos event at Lekki Conservation Centre was attended by Executive Directors Chris Ofikulu and Sharafadeen Muhammad, alongside NCF partners. Speaking at the event, Ofikulu expressed appreciation for the participants and highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability. He recalled the bank’s first tree-planting activity at TASUED, Ogun State, shortly after the campaign’s inception.
Ofikulu emphasised that the initiative aligns with the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, reinforcing Polaris Bank’s view of sustainability as both a responsibility and a business imperative. He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to planting 10,000 trees and extending its environmental efforts beyond banking services.
Sharafadeen Muhammad, Executive Director of Operations, stressed that protecting the environment is a collective responsibility. He praised the initiative as a commendable effort and called for the establishment of reserves that conserve nature while creating economic value. He reiterated Polaris Bank’s ongoing support for the tree-planting campaign.
In Ogun State, Yetunde Okeleye, Divisional Head for Ogun/Oyo, highlighted that the bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability is unwavering. She noted that planting economic trees across Nigeria, including Ogun, demonstrates that sustainability is an integral part of Polaris Bank’s ethos.
The partnership with NCF at FUNAAB aims to restore degraded land, prevent soil erosion, and combat climate change. Okeleye underscored the bank’s role in driving environmental stewardship and community well-being for a greener future.
In Kaduna State, Mr. Kabir Lawal, Acting Group Head for the North West, along with Kaduna-based staff, reaffirmed that sustainability is embedded in the bank’s culture. He stated that every decision is guided by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, ensuring the bank’s contributions to environmental preservation and inclusive growth.
The Kaduna event at Sardauna Memorial College, in partnership with NCF, focused on restoring degraded areas, preventing soil erosion, and raising awareness about environmental conservation. The trees planted, including fruit-bearing and shade-providing species, are expected to offer multiple benefits such as erosion control, windbreaks, shade, and food security.
Community representatives from FUNAAB and Sardauna College expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank and NCF, praising the initiatives as timely and impactful in tackling global climate challenges.
Polaris Bank continues to embed sustainability into its operations, positioning climate action and community development as core elements of its long-term strategy. Through collaborations like this, the bank reaffirms its role as a catalyst for positive environmental and social change.