Polaris Bank has added another significant achievement to its portfolio, winning the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility Awards (SERAS) – Africa’s premier and most prestigious recognition for Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The award was presented in recognition of the Bank’s consistent and impactful community interventions across Nigeria over the years.
At the 18th edition of the SERAS Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, Polaris Bank was commended for its unwavering commitment to sustainable development and impactful community initiatives across Nigeria. The SERAS Awards are widely regarded as Africa’s gold standard in Sustainability and CSR, celebrating organizations that exemplify innovation, impact, and excellence in advancing sustainable development. The awards highlight large corporations, SMEs, and nonprofits that drive lasting societal and environmental benefits.
This year’s ceremony brought together an elite gathering of business leaders, global sustainability experts, policymakers, and CEOs dedicated to shaping Africa’s sustainable future. For Polaris Bank, the recognition reaffirmed its leadership in driving transformative change through its strategic Sustainability and CSR interventions.
Polaris Bank’s extensive portfolio of Sustainability, ESG, and CSR initiatives earned it the “Best in Rural Population Integration” award at the SERAS. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to improving lives and fostering sustainable growth in rural and underserved communities. Over the years, the Bank has implemented key interventions across Nigeria, ranging from providing essential infrastructure to supporting vulnerable groups. Some of its notable achievements include:
Sponsoring the acquisition and planting of 2,000 economic trees across communities, including the Ajingi community in Kano State.
Donating equipment and renovating the Ibeju-Lekki Skill Acquisition Centre.
Installing boreholes in underserved communities to provide access to clean water in rural areas.
Delivering educational resources—including libraries, sandals, bags, uniforms, books, and pens—to over 15,000 indigent students across public secondary schools in Nigeria, ensuring their continuous education, especially in remote communities.
Providing over a decade of free breast cancer screenings for approximately 20,000 women and offering retreat/experience-sharing programs for survivors, contributing to a reduced mortality rate in Nigeria.
Establishing hospitals, reconstruction/rehabilitation centers for victims of sexual violence, and vocational centers for women.
Donating an ICT laboratory to the IWD Skills Acquisition Center and promoting financial literacy programs in schools.
Launching medical outreach programs and supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through significant donations.
These interventions have not only improved living standards but have also mitigated rural-to-urban migration by making these communities more attractive, conducive, habitable, and self-reliant.
Recently, Polaris Bank further demonstrated its commitment to community resilience by reopening its Sagamu branch, which had been destroyed during the cash crunch riots following the Naira redesign policy. In response to appeals from stakeholders within the community, the Bank’s management approved the complete reconstruction and re-equipping of the branch. The reopening marked a turning point for the Sagamu community, restoring access to critical banking services and underscoring Polaris Bank’s role as a trusted partner in economic recovery.
Speaking about the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director, Kayode Lawal, highlighted the Bank’s dedication to sustainability and social impact. “We thank SERAs for recognizing our strategic interventions and consistent investments in projects that positively impact people and the environment,” he said.
Kayode Lawal emphasized, “At Polaris Bank, sustainability is not just a cliché; it is a journey. Our involvement in community development projects is a deliberate effort to positively impact citizens through enhanced socio-economic interventions that reduce the effects of climate change on our environment, economy, and people.”
Participants at the award ceremony took the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and organizations championing sustainable business practices, celebrating Africa’s sustainability leaders and reaffirming the shared vision of driving positive, lasting change across the continent.
As a trailblazer in Sustainability and CSR, Polaris Bank remains steadfast in its mission to uplift communities, foster economic growth, and champion innovative solutions to address pressing societal challenges.
