… ED Ozomah says sustainability is a guiding principle, not a slogan, as Bank expands green footprint across 13 states
By Rashidat O. Okunlade | Lagos
Polaris Bank has reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability with a tree-planting exercise at the Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos, in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
The exercise, held on Monday, forms part of the Bank’s ongoing efforts to promote climate action, environmental conservation and sustainable community development.
It builds on the Bank’s nationwide tree-planting initiative launched in 2024. Since its inception, the initiative has recorded the planting of 10,000 trees across 16 locations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 13 states across Nigeria, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to translating its sustainability principles into measurable impact.
‘Sustainability Is Not a Slogan’
Speaking at the event, Abimbola Ozomah, Executive Director, Corporate & Investment Banking, Polaris Bank, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to embedding sustainability into its operations and community engagement efforts.
“At Polaris Bank, sustainability is not a slogan, it is a principle that guides our daily actions. It is about transforming bold commitments into measurable impact. Each of these trees represents more than just a number; they stand for communities empowered, degraded lands restored, and livelihoods supported,” she said.
She noted that the partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation at the Lekki Conservation Centre represents another important step in the Bank’s sustainability journey.
According to her, planting economic trees goes beyond addressing climate change, as it also creates opportunities for long-term community benefits, including improved soil fertility, increased vegetation cover and potential income generation as the trees mature.
‘The Power of Small Actions’
Ozomah further emphasised that building a sustainable future requires collective responsibility, noting that staff, partners and other stakeholders all have important roles to play in advancing environmental conservation.
“The power of small actions, when multiplied, creates extraordinary change. As we put these seedlings into the ground, let us commit to nurturing them and, in so doing, nurturing the future we all desire. Together, let us grow a greener, stronger, and more sustainable Nigeria,” she added.
The tree-planting exercise underscores Polaris Bank’s continued support for practical environmental initiatives that contribute to climate resilience, ecological restoration and community development.
Through its nationwide tree-planting programme and partnerships with organisations such as the NCF, the Bank continues to encourage collective action towards protecting the environment and building a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Why It Matters
In the global push towards Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, corporate sustainability initiatives are often criticized as mere “greenwashing” elaborate PR campaigns devoid of tangible environmental impact. Polaris Bank’s tree-planting initiative, however, provides a measurable counter-narrative.
Reaching the milestone of 10,000 trees across 16 locations in 13 states and the FCT demonstrates a level of logistical commitment that goes beyond a one-off photo opportunity. The choice to plant at the Lekki Conservation Centre in partnership with the NCF, a highly respected environmental NGO adds a layer of credibility and ensures that the trees are planted in an ecosystem where they will be properly managed and protected.
Furthermore, the Bank’s emphasis on planting “economic trees” highlights a crucial intersection between environmental conservation and economic empowerment. Deforestation and land degradation are significant threats to agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in Nigeria. By planting trees that improve soil fertility and offer potential income generation, Polaris Bank is aligning its climate action with poverty alleviation.
However, the true measure of this initiative will not be in the number of seedlings distributed, but in their survival rate years down the line. Tree planting is easy; tree nurturing is hard. If Polaris Bank can maintain its commitment to monitoring and maintaining these 10,000 trees, it will serve as a formidable blueprint for how financial institutions can leverage their resources to combat climate change while empowering local communities.
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