Polaris Bank has taken another step in strengthening Nigeria’s trade ecosystem with the successful hosting of its Global Trade Forum, which brought together key players in the non-oil export sector. The event, held under the theme “Trade Export: Partnering for Growth”, served as a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration between exporters, regulators, and financial stakeholders.
The forum was attended by business leaders, exporters, representatives of the Nigerian Customs Service, policy influencers, and regulators. Discussions centered on export readiness, trade finance, compliance, market access, and the use of digital platforms to ease cross-border transactions. It was designed to help exporters and traders navigate challenges while unlocking new opportunities for growth.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, emphasized the central role of trade in driving sustainable national development. He explained that the bank views itself not just as a financial institution but also as a trusted partner committed to providing innovative solutions that support business expansion. According to him, Polaris Bank remains focused on addressing the real issues customers face in trade and export by creating practical, tailored services.
In his address, Lawal highlighted the importance of partnerships in achieving export growth, noting that collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, and trade operators is critical for overcoming barriers in the business environment. He added that the bank is committed to driving long-term value creation for its stakeholders.
One of the key highlights of the forum was the participation of the Nigerian Customs Service. The Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Aondona Fanyama, led a three-man delegation and delivered a detailed presentation on the Nigeria Trade Portal and the B’Odogwu platform. He explained how these tools simplify trade processes, improve transparency, and enhance efficiency for both exporters and importers.
Fanyama also gave a live demonstration of how the platform works, showing its features designed to ease bottlenecks in cross-border transactions. In an encouraging display of collaboration, he pledged immediate intervention in resolving specific challenges raised by two exporters present at the forum, reinforcing Customs’ commitment to supporting trade facilitation.
The forum also featured the participation of Polaris Bank’s senior executives, including Executive Directors Chris Ofikulu and Abimbola Ozomah, who represented the Retail, Commercial, and Corporate & Investment Banking arms of the institution. Their presence underscored the bank’s holistic approach to supporting businesses at all levels.
Participants welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely in the face of growing global competition and the government’s push to diversify Nigeria’s economy away from oil dependence. By creating a space for dialogue, Polaris Bank has positioned itself as a proactive partner in helping businesses explore international markets and leverage digital platforms to enhance competitiveness.
The Global Trade Forum reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering exporters and building stronger relationships with stakeholders. With platforms like this, Polaris Bank is reinforcing its role as a catalyst for growth in Nigeria’s evolving non-oil export sector.
