The power of strategic partnerships in transforming access to education was once again highlighted in London as Access Bank UK, Fifth Chukker, UNICEF and the Kaduna State Government reaffirmed their commitment to providing quality education for Nigeria’s most vulnerable children.
Hosted by Access Bank UK, the Access UK Polo Day celebrated more than 15 years of sustained collaboration aimed at expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities.
What began as an initiative to support just 100 children has grown into one of Africa’s most impactful education programmes.
Through the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School in Kaduna State and related interventions, the partnership has positively impacted more than 14,000 children across Northern Nigeria.
At the centre of this achievement is the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School, where continuous investment in educational infrastructure, teaching resources and student welfare has created life-changing opportunities for thousands of children.
Between 2018 and 2026, the school produced 2,538 graduates, with girls accounting for over 54 per cent of the total, reflecting the programme’s strong commitment to promoting girls’ education and inclusive learning.
Each year, more than 1,000 pupils benefit from the school’s internationally recognised foundational learning programme, which has contributed to improved literacy and numeracy, alongside a reported 15 per cent increase in learning outcomes.
Graduates have continued to gain admission into leading secondary schools, while teachers receive continuous professional development and digital learning support.
Enhanced facilities and expanded learning resources have further strengthened the school’s learning environment and long-term sustainability.
This year’s event underscored a powerful message: every pledge should build a classroom, every classroom should empower a child, and every child deserves the opportunity to build a brighter future.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, reflected on the remarkable growth of the initiative and the commitment of its partners.
“What began as a dream to transform the lives of 100 children has grown into a movement that has positively impacted more than 14,000 young people. We want to return next year talking about 28,000 children. Education remains the greatest leveller, giving every child a genuine opportunity to realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.”
Ogbonna thanked donors and development partners whose continued support has sustained the initiative, noting that investments in education create lasting intergenerational benefits.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani described education as one of the greatest investments any society can make.
He commended the enduring partnership between Access Bank, Fifth Chukker and UNICEF, saying it has restored hope and opportunity to thousands of children from underserved communities.
Highlighting ongoing education reforms in Kaduna State, the governor disclosed that about 300,000 out-of-school children had returned to classrooms over the past year through partnerships with UNICEF and other development organisations.
He also announced plans to build an additional 120 classrooms at the Access Bank Fifth Chukker UNICEF School, further expanding access to quality education.
“What we are doing here is about humanity. By giving children access to quality education, we are empowering them to dream, to lead and to build a better future for themselves and their communities,” Governor Sani said.
He also paid tribute to the late Herbert Wigwe, recognising his vision, leadership and enduring commitment to improving educational opportunities for underserved children.
Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the initiative’s greatest achievement lies in the lives it continues to transform.
“The most meaningful measure of success is not the number of buildings we construct, but the opportunities we create.
Every child who receives an education, every young person who discovers their potential, and every community strengthened through learning represents the lasting impact of this partnership.
Together, we are proving that when purpose meets collaboration, we can create opportunities that change lives for generations.”
In his welcome address, Jamie Simmonds, Chief Executive Officer of The Access Bank UK, described the event as “polo with purpose”, a celebration that extends beyond sport to embrace a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities for underserved children.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that deliver sustainable social impact and broaden access to quality education.
The event concluded with a renewed pledge from all stakeholders to deepen investment in education as a catalyst for national development and inclusive social progress.
The Access Bank Fifth Chukker School continues to exemplify the impact of long-term collaboration between the private sector, government and development partners, delivering measurable and lasting outcomes for vulnerable children across Northern Nigeria.
