Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equity as a core business and growth strategy, using its 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration to highlight ongoing investments in women’s empowerment, financial inclusion, and leadership development.
Aligned with this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” the event underscored the importance of intentional contribution, collaboration, and sustained investment in women as critical drivers of inclusive growth. Speakers at the forum emphasized that meaningful progress in gender equality requires deliberate action across sectors.
Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, described the theme, “Gender Equity as a Business Imperative: The Give to Gain Advantage,” as both timely and strategic. He stressed that investing in women yields measurable benefits for institutions and the broader economy.
Lawal noted that empowering women remains central to Polaris Bank’s long-term vision, demonstrated through targeted financing, enterprise advisory services, and capacity-building initiatives for women-led businesses.
He also highlighted the Bank’s advocacy in breast cancer awareness, including screening and early detection efforts, alongside its support for girl-child education and inclusive workplace policies. According to him, the Bank’s flagship initiative, Polaris Pearl, continues to offer tailored financial solutions and growth opportunities for women professionals and entrepreneurs.
Calling for stronger cross-sector commitment, Lawal emphasized that inclusive systems are essential for building resilient institutions and sustainable societies.
In her keynote address, Tomi Somefun, immediate past Managing Director/CEO of Unity Bank, described gender equity as a critical driver of organizational performance. She urged institutions to move beyond rhetoric and adopt structured, measurable actions.
Somefun noted that enabling women to contribute fully is not merely a social responsibility but a strategic pathway to improved decision-making, innovation, and long-term resilience.
Also speaking, social entrepreneur Belinda Nkechi Indinmachi challenged Gen Z professionals to adopt a more strategic approach to value creation. She emphasized that purposeful contribution and long-term thinking are essential for sustainable career and business success, adding that “giving” should be seen as an investment with tangible returns.
Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Corporate & Investment Banking, Abimbola Ozomah, reiterated that the Bank’s commitment to women’s empowerment goes beyond symbolic gestures. She pointed to initiatives such as the Polaris Women Connect platform, which focuses on mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and leadership exposure for female professionals.
Earlier, Bukola Oluyadi, Group Head, Customer Experience & Value Management, set the tone for the event by highlighting the importance of collaboration and intentional support systems in achieving shared success.
The Bank also showcased its impact in advancing women’s economic participation, including the disbursement of over ₦1 billion to female entrepreneurs, alongside continued investments in financial literacy and enterprise development.
Polaris Bank reaffirmed that its gender equity agenda is anchored on deliberate action and inclusive growth strategies, positioning women as key drivers of economic transformation.
