Polaris Bank, in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), has expanded its nationwide tree planting campaign to Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna States, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability.
The initiative, launched in 2024 during the Bank’s World Environment Day activities, aims to combat climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and promote greener practices across Nigeria.
The Lagos edition, held at the Lekki Conservation Centre, was attended by Polaris Bank Executive Directors Chris Ofikulu and Sharafadeen Muhammad, alongside NCF partners. Ofikulu noted that the initiative highlights the Bank’s dedication to sustainability, aligning with the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and the collective goal of planting 10,000 trees nationwide.
Muhammad described the exercise as a shared responsibility to protect the planet, encouraging the establishment of nature reserves that also create economic value.
In Ogun State, Divisional Head, Ogun/Oyo, Yetunde Okeleye, said the collaboration with NCF at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), underscores Polaris Bank’s commitment to restoring degraded land, preventing erosion, and addressing climate change.
Similarly, in Kaduna, Acting Group Head, North West, Kabir Lawal, led the exercise at Sardauna Memorial College, reiterating that sustainability is embedded in the Bank’s culture and guided by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
The NCF commended Polaris Bank for providing trees with multiple benefits, including erosion control, shade provision, wind breaking, and food security.
Community representatives from FUNAAB and Sardauna College expressed gratitude, describing the initiative as timely in tackling climate challenges.
Polaris Bank says it will continue integrating sustainability into its operations, positioning climate action and community development as central to its growth strategy.
