By Bamidele Famoofo
WorldStage– As part of its ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, financial inclusion, and building a financially responsible generation, Polaris Bank Limited held an impactful Financial Literacy Day session at Community Day Secondary School, Tsaski Yan’albasa, in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The event, which took place on June 9, 2026, formed part of the Bank’s activities to commemorate Global Money Week (GMW).
The interactive session reached and impacted 90 students and 10 teachers, providing practical insights into savings, budgeting, responsible spending, banking essentials, financial goal-setting, peer influence, and informed decision-making from an early age.
It forms part of Polaris Bank’s sustained participation in Global Money Week, a global campaign that equips pupils and young people with knowledge on money management, savings, entrepreneurship, literacy and economic citizenship, while supporting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) financial and inclusion goals.
The Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Mr. Kayode Lawal, emphasised the strategic importance of these initiatives: “At Polaris Bank, we believe financial literacy is one of the most important foundations for building a responsible and economically empowered generation. When young people understand the value of savings, budgeting and responsible financial choices early in life, they are better positioned to manage opportunities, avoid poor money decisions and contribute meaningfully to the economy.”
He added that the Bank’s involvement in Global Money Week underscores its long-term dedication to financial inclusion, youth development, and community impact: “For us, this is not just about teaching students how to save money. It is about helping them understand the relationship between discipline, planning, financial responsibility and future success. We will continue to support platforms that take financial education closer to young people, especially in communities where early exposure can make a lasting difference.”
The session at the Polaris CEO adopted school, featured expert-led modules. It began with an overview of Global Money Week and the importance of a strong savings culture, anchored by Mr. Patrick Sule. Topics included the role of the CBN in the financial sector, financial discipline, goal-setting, and smart spending habits.
The session continued with focused discussions on banking essentials and managing peer influence, highlighting how banks help individuals protect, manage, and grow their money, while encouraging young people to make independent and responsible financial choices amid lifestyle pressures. Another segment addressed financial responsibility and legitimate ways young people can earn and manage money, stressing that building strong financial habits early significantly supports their personal and educational goals.
Representing the Polaris Bank MD/CEO at the advocacy outreach, Mr. Dahiru Tukur, Group Head, Kano Group, Polaris Bank, delivered regulatory insights in simple and accessible terms. He also led an interactive “Smart Money Talk” session to reinforce the key lessons from the day.
“The decisions you make with money today, no matter how small, can shape your future. Learning how to save, spend wisely and avoid negative financial pressure is a major step toward becoming responsible and independent adults. Polaris Bank is proud to be part of this journey with you,” he said.
To connect theory with practice, the session featured an introduction to the Polaris Young Achievers account, outlining its benefits for fostering early savings habits, along with account-opening requirements and suitable product options. The programme concluded with a lively question-and-answer (Q &A) segment, where students showed keen interest, followed by the distribution of branded gift items to reinforce the learning experience.
Samaila Umar Sanda, Principal of Community Day Secondary School, praised the Bank’s practical and relatable approach: “Programmes like this help student connect classroom learning with real-life financial decisions. By engaging them early, Polaris Bank is helping to build a generation that understands money, values savings and can make better economic choices. We are grateful to Polaris Bank for bringing this important programme to our school. The lessons shared today are practical and timely. Our students have learnt that money management starts with discipline, planning and the right attitude.”
This engagement reinforces Polaris Bank’s role as a responsible corporate citizen dedicated to education, youth development, financial inclusion, and sustainable community impact. Through Global Money Week and similar initiatives, the Bank continues to advance national efforts to equip young Nigerians with essential skills for informed financial decisions and active participation in the formal economy.
This initiative aligns with Polaris Bank’s commitment to the UNEP-FI (United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative) Principles for Responsible Banking, particularly Principle 3 (Clients & Customers) and the dedicated Commitment to Financial Health and Inclusion. By promoting financial literacy and education among young people, the Bank supports universal financial inclusion, helps individuals build financial resilience, and contributes to a more financially healthy and empowered society.
