By Stephen Simon
Polaris Bank Limited has reinforced its commitment to youth empowerment and financial inclusion by educating students on financial management and responsible money habits during a Financial Literacy Day programme held at Community Day Secondary School, Tsaski Yan’albasa, in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The initiative formed part of the bank’s activities marking the 2026 Global Money Week (GMW), a worldwide campaign aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions and build sustainable economic futures.
The interactive session impacted 90 students and 10 teachers, exposing participants to practical lessons on savings, budgeting, responsible spending, financial goal-setting, banking fundamentals, peer influence and sound decision-making.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Mr. Kayode Lawal, described financial literacy as a critical foundation for building a financially responsible and economically empowered generation.
According to him, early exposure to financial education helps young people develop discipline, avoid poor financial choices and position themselves for future success.
“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,” Lawal said.
He added that the bank’s participation in Global Money Week reflects its long-term commitment to financial inclusion, youth development and sustainable 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,” he added.
The programme featured a series of expert-led sessions designed to simplify financial concepts and encourage positive money habits among young people.
Participants were introduced to the objectives of Global Money Week and educated on the importance of cultivating a savings culture.
Discussions also focused on financial discipline, goal-setting, smart spending habits and the role of the Central Bank of Nigeria in promoting financial stability and inclusion.
Students were further exposed to practical lessons on banking services and the importance of making independent financial decisions despite peer pressure and societal influences.
Representing the Managing Director at the event, Group Head, Kano Group, Polaris Bank, Mr. Dahiru Tukur, delivered regulatory insights and led an interactive “Smart Money Talk” session aimed at reinforcing key lessons from the programme.
“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,” Tukur told the students.
As part of efforts to encourage practical application of the lessons learned, participants were introduced to the Polaris Young Achievers Account, a savings product designed to help children and teenagers develop healthy financial habits from an early age.
The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students actively engaged facilitators on issues relating to savings, banking and financial responsibility. Branded educational materials and gift items were also distributed to participants.
In his remarks, the Principal of Community Day Secondary School, Samaila Umar Sanda, commended Polaris Bank for bringing the programme to the school and exposing students to practical financial knowledge.
“Programmes like this help students 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,” he said.
He added that the lessons shared would have a lasting impact on the students by encouraging discipline, planning and responsible financial behaviour.
Polaris Bank said the initiative aligns with its broader commitment to education, youth development, financial inclusion and sustainable community impact. The programme also supports national efforts to improve financial literacy among young Nigerians and advance financial inclusion objectives championed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The bank noted that the initiative is consistent with its commitment to the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI) Principles for Responsible Banking, particularly those focused on customer empowerment, financial health and inclusive economic participation.
