Polaris Bank Hosts Global Trade Forum to Strengthen Trade Relationships and Drive Growth

Polaris Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading digital retail and commercial banks, on Tuesday hosted corporate customers in the non-oil sector at its Global Trade Forum, an initiative designed to foster stronger stakeholder relationships, address trade-related challenges, and explore innovative solutions for business growth.

The forum, themed “Trade Export: Partnering for Growth,” brought together stakeholders across Nigeria’s trade and export ecosystem. Participants included business leaders, exporters, regulators, representatives of the Nigerian Customs Service, and key policy influencers. Discussions focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping the global trading landscape, with emphasis on strategies to boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in international markets.

In his welcome address, Polaris Bank Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, highlighted the central role of trade as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. He reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to providing innovative and tailored solutions that empower Nigerian businesses to compete more effectively on the global stage.

“The purpose of this gathering is to address the real issues customers encounter in trade and export, while also identifying opportunities where Polaris Bank can provide practical solutions to support growth,” Lawal noted. “Polaris Bank sees itself not only as a financial institution but also as a trusted partner in progress and a driver of long-term value creation.”

A major highlight of the event was the participation of the Nigerian Customs Service delegation, led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Aondona Fanyama. He delivered a detailed presentation on the workings of the Nigeria Trade Portal B’odogwu and conducted a live demonstration of its application.

ACC Fanyama explained how the portal simplifies trade processes for exporters and importers by improving transparency, efficiency, and speed in cross-border transactions. Demonstrating the collaborative spirit of the forum, he pledged immediate resolution of two outstanding portal-related issues raised by participants, underscoring the forum’s role in addressing real-time business concerns.

The event, held at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, also served as a platform for meaningful dialogue on key themes such as trade finance, export readiness, compliance, market access, and the role of digital platforms in facilitating cross-border trade. Attendees had the opportunity to interact directly with financial experts, policymakers, Customs officials, and industry leaders—creating pathways for collaboration and sustainable growth.

Polaris Bank’s executive management team was fully represented, including Chris Ofikulu (Executive Director, Retail & Commercial Banking) and Abimbola Ozomah (Executive Director, Corporate & Investment Banking), alongside senior leaders from Treasury, Global Trade, Business Directorate, and other strategic divisions.

Through the Global Trade Forum, Polaris Bank once again demonstrated its role as a forward-looking financial partner committed to supporting businesses, fostering economic development, and strengthening Nigeria’s participation in global markets. The initiative reinforces the Bank’s positioning as a catalyst for trade expansion and customer empowerment, ensuring that clients have access to the financial products, advisory support, and opportunities required to thrive in today’s competitive global economy.