Alejo Aramburu, Reni Folawiyo and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu
Elegance met impact at this year’s Access Bank UK Polo Day, held at the prestigious Guards Polo Club in Windsor, where business leaders, diplomats, and philanthropists gathered for more than just a world-class polo experience.
In partnership with Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club, the annual event once again delivered on its core mission—supporting access to quality education for underserved children across Africa. What began as a high-society sporting occasion has evolved into a powerful platform for long-term social investment.
A Decade of Development
Access Bank has used the Polo Day platform for over ten years to fund meaningful interventions across Northern Nigeria. The proceeds from the event have financed the construction of 60 new classrooms, with another 60 currently under development, particularly in Kaduna State.
“We’re not just building schools—we’re building futures,” said Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank. “Every child deserves the chance to dream and thrive, no matter their circumstances.”
More Than Just a Game
While the day featured all the trappings of luxury—high fashion, fine dining, and competitive polo matches—it also served a greater purpose: raising awareness and funds for educational transformation. The initiative aligns closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships).
“This is about long-term change,” said Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group CEO of Access Holdings. “We want to create ecosystems that take children from basic education all the way to economic empowerment.”
Real Impact on Real Lives
The change is tangible. Children who once studied in overcrowded, poorly equipped classrooms now learn in solar-powered, well-furnished environments with access to digital tools and trained teachers.
One such story is that of Fatima, a 12-year-old student in Kaduna. Previously one of 80 children crammed into a broken classroom, she now learns in a dignified setting and dreams of becoming an engineer.
Partnerships Driving Progress
Access Bank’s approach is deeply collaborative. Alongside Fifth Chukker, it partners with UNICEF, local governments, and community organisations to ensure that the impact is sustainable. These partnerships support everything from infrastructure and teacher training to curriculum development and community engagement.
By using polo as a bridge between luxury and development, the Bank has created a model for turning prestige into purpose.
A Blueprint for Corporate Responsibility
Access Bank’s social investment strategy stands out in a landscape often filled with short-lived CSR campaigns. Its initiatives are impact-driven, scalable, and accountable, tracked by clear KPIs and external evaluations.
The 2025 edition of the UK Polo Day reinforced the Bank’s commitment to embedding social impact into its core brand identity—a move that sets a new standard for how financial institutions can lead beyond profits.
The Lasting Legacy
As guests departed the lush fields of Windsor, the true legacy of the event was already unfolding—miles away in classrooms filled with children who now have the tools to shape their own futures.
With each edition, Access Bank UK Polo Day proves that philanthropy can be both strategic and stylish—and that meaningful impact begins when vision meets action.
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