Polaris Bank and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to combating the alarming rate of out-of-school children by supporting students.

In a statement released to the press, the bank stated that while the initiative primarily focused on empowering the girl child, male students in the targeted schools were not left out, thus reflecting the project’s inclusive approach.

Since 2020, these collaborative efforts between Polaris Bank and its strategic partners have ensured continuous education for 16,000 students. The initiative, which includes empowering young learners with brain training techniques and emotional intelligence education alongside making and distributing school essentials (bags, uniforms, sandals, books, and pens), aligns with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4, which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

According to the latest figures from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, there are about 18.3 million Nigerian children who are out of school.

Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Lawal, speaking on the education initiative, charged students to embrace the opportunities that education offers.  He noted that the intervention was in line with the Bank’s ongoing sustainability efforts aimed at reducing Nigeria’s current out-of-school children population and increasing access to quality education, especially for the girl-child.

The current phase of the initiative targeted schools across diverse regions of the country, providing needed school essentials such as school bags, sandals, uniforms, books, and pens to students.

Between November and December 2024, Polaris Bank visited eight schools across various states, including Opebi Junior Grammar School in Lagos, National High School Arondizuogu, Iheme Memorial Secondary School, Akokwa High School in Imo State, Government Girls Secondary School, Kundila in Kano, Fortune Secondary School in Kogi, and Government Day Junior Secondary School, Maitama in Abuja, with that of Gbaja Junior and Secondary School, both in Surulere, Lagos, moved to mid-January 2025.

The programme aims to support 50,000 students by 2028.