Union Bank, NCF Seek Stronger Collaboration on Climate Action, Environmental Sustainability

Union Bank, NCF Seek Stronger Collaboration on Climate Action, Environmental Sustainability

Union Bank of Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has called for stronger collaboration among businesses, government, civil society, and young people to tackle climate change, promote environmental conservation, and build a sustainable future for Nigeria.

LAGOS – Union Bank of Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to address climate change, strengthen environmental conservation efforts, and empower young people to drive sustainability initiatives.

The call was made during a symposium held at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos to commemorate the 2026 World Environment Day. The event, themed "Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future," brought together environmental experts, business leaders, students, and other stakeholders to discuss climate action and sustainable development.

Delivering the bank's goodwill message, Union Bank's Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs. Olufunmilola Aluko, stressed that businesses must complement their sustainability commitments with concrete actions, noting that financial institutions have a critical role in shaping a greener economy through responsible financing.

According to her, the bank recognises that sustainable development and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand, adding that lending and investment decisions by financial institutions significantly influence the direction of economic growth.

"As a bank that has been part of Nigeria's story for over a century, Union Bank recognises that sustainable development and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand. Banks play an important role because they help determine where capital flows. The choices financial institutions make about what to fund and what to encourage help shape the kind of economy we build," she said.

In his keynote address, Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Joseph Daniel Onoja, described environmental conservation as essential to humanity's survival.

He urged individuals and organisations to protect the environment, noting that nature provides the resources needed for human existence and that safeguarding the ecosystem is in humanity's best interest.

A panel session featuring secondary school students from Lagos and other parts of the country added an intergenerational perspective to the discussions. The students advocated increased investment in clean energy, climate-smart initiatives, and responsible consumption while showcasing innovative projects that transformed waste into interior décor and clean energy solutions.

The symposium aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on Climate Action, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Partnerships for the Goals, highlighting the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.

Union Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote environmental protection, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable community development, noting that protecting the environment remains central to building a resilient economy for future generations.

Established in 1917, Union Bank of Nigeria is one of the country's leading financial institutions, operating more than 300 branches nationwide while providing retail, commercial, and digital banking services.