Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigerian businesses in the global market through strategic partnerships, innovative solutions, and stronger stakeholder engagement.
The lender restated this at its Global Trade Forum held on Tuesday, September 18, 2025, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island. The event, themed *“Trade Export: Partnering for Growth,”* brought together exporters, business leaders, regulators, the Nigerian Customs Service, and policy influencers to deliberate on opportunities and challenges in the country’s trade and export ecosystem.
Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, described trade as a critical driver of sustainable economic growth, noting that the bank remains committed to delivering tailored financial and advisory solutions that empower Nigerian exporters to compete on the global stage.
“Our aim is to address the real issues customers encounter in trade and export while identifying opportunities where Polaris Bank can provide practical and innovative solutions. We see ourselves not only as a financial institution but as a trusted partner in progress and a driver of long-term value creation,” Lawal said.
One of the key highlights of the event was the presentation by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Aondona Fanyama, who led a three-man delegation from the Nigerian Customs Service. Fanyama demonstrated the Nigeria Trade Portal *B’odogwu,* explaining how it simplifies cross-border transactions, enhances transparency, and speeds up processes for exporters and importers.
He also pledged to resolve, within a short period, the challenges two participants had been facing with the portal—an intervention that underscored the forum’s role in providing practical solutions to trade-related issues.
The forum featured discussions on trade finance, export readiness, compliance, market access, and the role of digital platforms in cross-border trade. It also provided opportunities for participants to interact directly with Polaris Bank’s executive management, financial experts, and policymakers.
Executive Directors Chris Ofikulu (Retail, Commercial Banking) and Abimbola Ozomah (Corporate & Investment Banking) led the bank’s top executives at the forum, alongside key figures from Treasury, Global Trade, and other business divisions.
Polaris Bank said the initiative reinforced its role as a forward-looking financial institution committed to fostering economic growth, driving export expansion, and equipping Nigerian businesses with the tools to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.