Polaris Bank Positions Gender Equity as Business Growth Strategy at 2026 International Women’s Day Event

Polaris Bank Positions Gender Equity as Business Growth Strategy at 2026 International Women’s Day Event

Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equity as a key driver of business growth and economic development during its 2026 observance of International Women's Day, highlighting sustained investments in women’s empowerment, financial inclusion, and leadership development.

The bank made the commitment during its International Women’s Day (IWD) event themed “Gender Equity as a Business Imperative: The Give to Gain Advantage,” which aligned with the broader IWD call to accelerate gender equality through collaboration, generosity, and sustained investment in women.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, stressed that investing in women delivers measurable returns for both institutions and the wider economy.

According to Lawal, empowering women remains a core component of the bank’s long-term strategy, particularly through targeted financing, enterprise advisory services, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at supporting women-led businesses.

He also highlighted the bank’s sustained advocacy in breast cancer awareness, including screening and early detection campaigns, as well as its contributions to girl-child education and the promotion of inclusive workplace policies.

Lawal added that the bank’s flagship women-focused initiative, Polaris Pearl, continues to provide tailored financial solutions and growth platforms for female professionals and entrepreneurs. He called on organisations across sectors to take deliberate steps toward building inclusive systems that strengthen institutions and society.

Delivering the keynote address, Tomi Somefun, the immediate past Managing Director/CEO of Unity Bank Plc, described gender equity as a critical driver of organisational performance. She urged institutions to move beyond rhetoric and adopt structured policies that enable women to fully contribute to economic and corporate development.

Somefun noted that empowering women is not merely a social responsibility but a strategic pathway to improved decision-making, innovation, and long-term institutional resilience.

Also speaking at the event, social entrepreneur Belinda Nkechi Indinmachi challenged members of Generation Z to adopt a more strategic approach to value creation. She emphasised that purposeful contribution and long-term thinking are essential for sustainable career growth and entrepreneurial success, describing “giving” as an investment capable of generating long-term returns.

In her remarks, Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking at Polaris Bank, Abimbola Ozomah, reiterated that the bank’s commitment to women empowerment goes beyond symbolic observance.

She explained that initiatives such as the Polaris Women Connect platform are designed to prepare female professionals for leadership roles through mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and exposure to industry leaders.

Earlier, Group Head, Customer Experience and Value Management at the bank, Bukola Oluyadi, set the tone for the engagement by highlighting the importance of collaboration and intentional support systems in achieving collective success.

The event also showcased the bank’s measurable impact in advancing women’s economic participation, including the disbursement of over ₦1 billion in funding to female entrepreneurs, alongside ongoing investments in financial literacy and enterprise development.

Polaris Bank reaffirmed that its strategy for empowering women is anchored on deliberate action and inclusive growth initiatives that position women as key drivers of economic transformation.

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