Access Bank Cup 2026 Highlights Education Impact Amid Polo Gala in UK
At the Guards Polo Club in Surrey, UK, the 2026 Access Bank Cup blended polo excitement with a high‑level gathering of Nigerian dignitaries – the Emir of Katsina, the governors of Kaduna and Niger States, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, diplomats, business leaders and development partners. Beyond the matches, the event highlighted Access Bank’s education initiative run with Fifth Chukker and UNICEF, which has raised over US$3 million, supported more than 14,000 children and funded more than 60 classroom blocks in Kaduna State. Chair Lady Ifeyinwa Osime, CEO Roosevelt Ogbonna and Access Bank UK MD Jamie Simmonds stressed the bank's growing international presence, the value of strategic partnerships and the importance of linking business growth with measurable social impact. Discussions among attendees stressed education, youth empowerment, economic inclusion and collaboration as drivers of resilient African economies. Beneficiaries shared how new classrooms have boosted confidence and learning prospects. The tournament shows how corporate‑sport platforms can mobilise resources for lasting community development.
What lessons could Nigerian businesses and NGOs draw from linking high‑visibility events with concrete education outcomes, and how might such partnerships be replicated to expand impact in other states?