Access Bank Plc, in partnership with Fifth Chukker, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Kaduna State Government, has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to quality education for vulnerable children across Northern Nigeria.
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The renewed commitment was announced during the Access UK Polo Day held in London, where stakeholders celebrated more than 15 years of collaboration aimed at providing educational opportunities for underserved communities.
The partners said the initiative, which began with the goal of supporting just 100 children, has evolved into one of Africa’s leading private sector-backed education programmes. According to them, the project has positively impacted more than 14,000 children through the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School and other education interventions in Kaduna State.
Over the years, investments in classrooms, learning materials, teacher training, and student support have significantly expanded access to quality education for disadvantaged children.
Programme data showed that between 2018 and 2026, the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School graduated 2,538 pupils, with girls accounting for more than 54 per cent of the graduates, reflecting the initiative’s commitment to promoting gender equality in education.
The school currently provides internationally recognised foundational learning programmes for over 1,000 pupils annually, while recording improvements in literacy, numeracy, and overall academic performance. Many graduates have also secured admission into leading secondary schools, with teachers benefiting from continuous professional development and digital learning support.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, described the initiative as a movement that has exceeded its original vision.
“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 because education remains the greatest leveller and gives every child an opportunity to fulfil their potential,” he said.
Ogbonna thanked development partners and donors for sustaining the initiative, noting that investments in education create lasting social and economic benefits for future generations.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, also commended the partnership, describing education as one of the most valuable investments any society can make.
According to the governor, Kaduna State has successfully returned about 300,000 out-of-school children to classrooms over the past year through collaborations with UNICEF and other development partners.
He also announced plans to construct 120 additional 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 paid tribute to the late Herbert Wigwe, acknowledging his contributions to expanding educational opportunities for underserved children across Nigeria.
Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the partnership’s greatest achievement lies in the lives it has transformed rather than the physical infrastructure it has built.
He noted that every child given access to education represents a lasting investment in the country’s future and a demonstration of what can be achieved through collaboration between the private sector, government, and development partners.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of The Access Bank UK, Jamie Simmonds, described the event as “polo with purpose,” saying it reflects the bank’s commitment to using sport as a platform to mobilise support for education and sustainable social development.
The event concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to expanding investments in education and strengthening partnerships aimed at improving learning outcomes for vulnerable children across Northern Nigeria.
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