Polaris Bank Positions Gender Equity as Growth Strategy at IWD 2026

<em>L-R: Belinda Nkechi Idinmachi, Entrepreneurship Specialist, ALX Founder Academy; Subulade Giwa-Amu, Non- Executive Director, Polaris Bank; Kayode Lawal, MD/CEO, Polaris Bank; Tomi Somefun, Former MD/CEO for Unity Bank Plc, & Abimbola Ozomah, Executive Director, Corporate & Investment Banking during the International Women’s Day celebration in Lagos recently</em>

Polaris Bank has reinforced its commitment to deepen gender equity as a business and growth imperative during its 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) event, spotlighting sustained investments in women’s empowerment, financial inclusion, and leadership development.

In line with this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” highlighting a call to action for accelerating gender equality through generosity, collaboration,and investment in women.

The speakers emphasized intentional contribution as a catalyst for collective progress.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, underscored the strategic value of the theme, “Gender Equity as a Business Imperative: The Give to Gain Advantage.” He noted that investing in women delivers measurable returns for institutions and economies alike.

According to Lawal, empowering women remains a core pillar of Polaris Bank’s long-term strategy, reflected in its support for women-led businesses through targeted financing, enterprise advisory and capacity-building initiatives.

The Polaris CEO also highlighted the Bank’s sustained advocacy in breast cancer advocacy and screening and early detection, as well as its contributions to girl-child education and inclusive workplace policies.

He added that the Bank’s flagship proposition, ‘Polaris Pearl’, continues to provide tailored financial solutions and growth platforms for women professionals and entrepreneurs.

He called for more deliberate action across sectors, stressing that inclusive systems ultimately drive stronger institutions and societies.

Delivering keynote insights, Tomi Somefun, the immediate past MD/CEO of Unity Bank described gender equity as a critical lever for organizational performance, urging institutions to move beyond rhetoric to structured action.

She emphasized that enabling women to contribute fully is not a social obligation but a pathway to better decision-making, innovation, and long-term resilience.

Also speaking, Belinda Nkechi Indinmachi, a social entrepreneur challenged the GenZs to adopt a more strategic approach to value creation, noting that purposeful contribution and long-term thinking are essential for sustainable career and business growth.

She encouraged professionals to view “giving” as an investment that yields tangible returns over time.

In her remarks, Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Corporate & Investment Banking, Abimbola Ozomah, reiterated that the Bank’s focus on women empowerment extends beyond symbolic observance.

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

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

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

Polaris Bank reaffirmed that its commitment to empowering women remains anchored on deliberate action and inclusive growth strategies that position women as key drivers of economic transformation.