Lagos, Nigeria — Polaris Bank has reinforced its commitment to empowering the Nigerian girl-child with the distribution of female hygiene essentials to students of Kuramo and Victoria Island Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Lagos.
The outreach, which followed the Bank’s 2025 International Women’s Day activities, was carried out under its Adolescent Health and Hygiene Support Programme. It forms part of Polaris Bank’s broader Girl-Child Support and Hygiene Education Initiative aimed at improving menstrual health awareness, boosting confidence and dignity among young girls, and reducing school absenteeism linked to lack of access to sanitary products.
Addressing the students, the Group Head, Customer Experience & Value Management, Polaris Bank, Mrs. Bukola Oluyadi, delivered an interactive health talk on the importance of proper personal hygiene during menstruation and adolescence. She educated the girls on the correct use of sanitary pads, the need for clean underwear, and maintaining overall body hygiene through regular washing and use of deodorants, particularly during puberty.
“Your body is precious, and how you take care of it determines your confidence and wellbeing,” Mrs. Oluyadi said. “Good hygiene goes beyond appearance; it keeps you healthy, comfortable, and confident in school and in life.”
She encouraged the students to adopt healthy habits, understand their bodies, and speak openly and confidently about their health needs.
Also present was a Non-Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Mrs. Subulade Giwa-Amu, who delivered a motivational session on self-care, confidence, and self-presentation. She stressed that personal hygiene and self-awareness play a vital role in shaping a successful future.
“A clean girl equals a successful woman,” Mrs. Giwa-Amu stated. “Success is not only measured by academic results but also by how you carry and present yourself. First impressions matter, and self-care should be a daily practice.”
She further urged the girls to build inner confidence, respect themselves, and remain mindful of personal hygiene as they transition into womanhood.
The initiative aligns with Polaris Bank’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility strategy, which prioritizes girl-child empowerment through education, access to essential resources, and social interventions that enhance health and academic performance.
According to the Bank, investing in girls’ wellbeing helps promote equal opportunities, reduce school dropout rates, and contribute to long-term social and economic development. By addressing hygiene-related challenges that affect school attendance, the programme also seeks to reduce stigma around menstruation and foster healthier, more confident young girls.
