Access Bank, Partners Celebrate Education Initiative Impacting 14,000 Vulnerable Children
Access Bank UK, Fifth Chukker, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Kaduna State Government have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding access to quality education for vulnerable children in Nigeria, highlighting an initiative that has positively impacted more than 14,000 children in underserved communities across Northern Nigeria.
The renewed commitment was made at the Access UK Polo Day hosted in London by Access Bank UK, where stakeholders celebrated more than 15 years of collaboration aimed at improving educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.
The event showcased the achievements of the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School in Kaduna State, which has grown from a modest intervention into one of Africa’s notable education support programmes through sustained collaboration between the private sector, government and development partners.
According to the organisers, the initiative has significantly expanded access to education by investing in modern educational infrastructure, learning materials, teacher development and student support programmes.
Data presented at the event showed that between 2018 and 2026, the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School produced 2,538 graduates, with girls accounting for more than 54 per cent of the graduating pupils, reflecting efforts to promote gender inclusion and improve access to education for female children.
The school currently provides more than 1,000 pupils annually with an internationally recognised foundational learning programme designed to strengthen literacy and numeracy skills. Organisers said the programme has contributed to a 15 per cent improvement in learning performance, while many graduates have gained admission into leading secondary schools.
Teachers also continue to benefit from regular professional development programmes and digital learning support, while investments in classrooms and educational facilities have enhanced the overall learning environment.
Addressing participants, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, described education as the most effective tool for transforming lives and reducing inequality.
He recalled that the initiative initially set out to support just 100 children but has since grown into a movement that has reached more than 14,000 young people.
“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 said.
He thanked donors and development partners for sustaining the programme over the years, noting that investments in education generate long-term benefits for families and communities.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, described education as one of the most valuable investments any society could make.
He commended the longstanding partnership involving Access Bank, Fifth Chukker and UNICEF for restoring hope to thousands of children who previously lacked access to quality education.
The governor disclosed that Kaduna State had returned about 300,000 out-of-school children to classrooms over the past year through partnerships with UNICEF and other development organisations.
He also announced plans by the state government to construct an additional 120 classrooms at the Access Bank Fifth Chukker UNICEF School to accommodate more pupils.
“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,” Sani said.
The governor also paid tribute to the late Herbert Wigwe, praising his vision and enduring contributions to improving educational opportunities for underserved children.
Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the success of the initiative should be measured by the opportunities it creates rather than the number of physical structures built.
“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,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank UK, Jamie Simmonds, described the event as “polo with purpose”, saying it represented more than a sporting occasion but a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting sustainable initiatives that deliver measurable social impact and improve access to quality education.
The event concluded with stakeholders renewing their pledge to deepen investment in education as a catalyst for national development, while reaffirming that sustained collaboration between the private sector, governments and development organisations remains critical to tackling educational inequality and improving the future of vulnerable children across Nigeria.
