Polaris Bank, in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation, NCF has expanded its tree planting initiative to three states; Lagos, Ogun and Kaduna, in a renewed effort to tackle climate change, restore degraded land, and promote environmental sustainability across Nigeria.
The programme, which kicked off in 2024 during the Bank’s World Environment Day commemoration, has now spread to the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in Ogun State, and Sardauna Memorial College in Kaduna State.
At the Lagos edition, held at the Lekki Conservation Centre, Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Commercial and Retail, Chris Ofikulu, described the initiative as a reflection of the Bank’s deep commitment to environmental sustainability.
He recalled leading the Bank’s first tree planting activity at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in 2024, stressing that the project aligns with the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.
“Polaris Bank sees sustainability not merely as a responsibility but as a business imperative. Through this initiative, we reaffirm our role beyond banking services and remain committed to the collective goal of planting 10,000 trees,” Ofikulu said.
Executive Director, Operations, Sharafadeen Muhammad, added that protecting the environment is a shared duty, urging more investments in reserves that conserve biodiversity while creating economic value.
At the Ogun State leg of the exercise, Divisional Head, Ogun/Oyo, Yetunde Okeleye, noted that the project demonstrates Polaris Bank’s ethos of embedding sustainability into its culture. “By planting economic trees across the country, including here in Ogun State, we are restoring degraded land, preventing soil erosion, and combating climate change,” she said.
In Kaduna, Acting Group Head, North West, Kabir Lawal, emphasized the Bank’s adherence to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. “Sustainability is not just a catchphrase but our culture. Every decision we make is guided by ESG principles, ensuring that we tackle environmental challenges while empowering communities and driving inclusive growth,” he said.
The NCF, represented at the events, commended Polaris Bank’s leadership, stressing that the selected trees; comprising fruit-bearing and shade-providing species, would support food security, control erosion, and improve local ecosystems.
Community leaders at FUNAAB and Sardauna Memorial College also expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank and NCF, describing the campaign as both timely and impactful in addressing the global climate crisis at the grassroots.