The event, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, carried the theme “Trade Export: Partnering for Growth” and drew participation from business leaders, exporters, trade regulators, and representatives of the Nigerian Customs Service. Discussions centred on export readiness, compliance, market access, trade finance, and the role of digital platforms in easing cross-border transactions.
Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, described trade as a critical engine for economic transformation and pledged that the Bank would continue to provide tailored financial solutions to enable Nigerian businesses compete more effectively on the global stage.
“We are not just a financial institution but a trusted partner in progress,” Lawal said. “The purpose of this gathering is to address the real challenges our customers face in trade and export, while exploring innovative ways Polaris Bank can support growth and long-term value creation.”
The Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Aondona Fanyama, who led a three-man delegation from the Nigerian Customs Service, delivered a practical demonstration of the Nigeria Trade Portal “B’odogwu”. He explained how the digital platform is designed to simplify trade processes, improve transparency, and enhance efficiency for exporters and importers.
In a notable moment of the forum, ACC Fanyama pledged swift intervention on two unresolved cases raised by participants, underscoring the value of such stakeholder engagements in resolving real-time business concerns.
The Bank’s Executive Directors, Chris Ofikulu (Retail, Commercial and Corporate Banking) and Abimbola Ozomah (Corporate & Investment Banking), joined other members of Polaris’ top management to interact directly with participants, providing advisory insights and strengthening confidence in the Bank’s trade finance capabilities.
The forum highlighted the growing importance of non-oil exports in diversifying Nigeria’s economy and underscored Polaris Bank’s role as a catalyst for trade expansion. By combining financial products, expert advisory support, and partnerships with regulators, the Bank aims to ensure that its clients can access international markets competitively and sustainably.
With the forum, Polaris Bank reinforced its positioning as a forward-looking lender dedicated to supporting businesses, driving economic development, and strengthening Nigeria’s participation in the global economy.