Polaris Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading digital retail and commercial banks, on Tuesday hosted corporate customers in the non-oil sector at its Global Trade Forum. The high-level engagement was designed to strengthen stakeholder relationships, tackle trade-related challenges, and develop innovative solutions to accelerate business growth.
With the theme “Trade Export: Partnering for Growth,” the forum brought together key players in Nigeria’s trade and export ecosystem, including business leaders, exporters, regulators, the Nigeria Customs Service, and policy influencers. Participants engaged in robust discussions on the challenges and opportunities shaping global trade.
Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, stressed the central role of trade as a driver of sustainable economic growth. He reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to offering tailored solutions that enable Nigerian businesses to compete successfully in international markets.
“Our goal is to address the real issues customers face in trade and export while providing practical, innovative solutions to support their growth,” Lawal said. “Polaris Bank is not just a financial institution — we are a trusted partner in progress and a driver of long-term value creation.”
The event also featured a three-man delegation from the Nigeria Customs Service led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Aondona Fanyama, who demonstrated the use of the Nigeria Trade Portal B’odogwu. Fanyama explained how the platform streamlines export and import processes, improving transparency, speed, and efficiency in cross-border trade.
In a show of commitment to resolving real business issues, Fanyama pledged immediate intervention to help two participants who had been facing challenges with portal processing — an action that underscored the value of the forum as a platform for real-time problem-solving.
Held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, the event created a platform for meaningful dialogue on trade finance, export readiness, compliance, market access, and the role of digital platforms in enabling cross-border transactions. Participants had the opportunity to interact directly with financial experts, policymakers, Customs officials, and industry leaders, paving the way for collaboration and sustainable growth.
Polaris Bank’s executive management was fully represented, including Executive Directors Chris Ofikulu (Retail & Commercial Banking) and Abimbola Ozomah (Corporate & Investment Banking), alongside strategic leaders from Treasury, Global Trade, and Business Directorates.
Through the Global Trade Forum, Polaris Bank reinforced its positioning as a forward-looking financial partner committed to empowering businesses, boosting Nigeria’s participation in global markets, and driving long-term economic development.
