Union Bank, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), marked the 2026 World Environment Day with a symposium at the Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, environmental advocates and students to champion stronger collaboration in tackling climate change, advancing conservation and empowering young people to drive a more sustainable future.
Held under the theme, **”Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”**, the symposium underscored the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges. Discussions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly **SDG 13 (Climate Action)** and **SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)**, reinforcing the shared understanding that no single institution can address the climate crisis alone.
Delivering her goodwill message, Union Bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, **Mrs. Olufunmilola Aluko**, emphasised the critical role of businesses—and particularly financial institutions—in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable economy.
> “As a Bank that has been part of Nigeria’s story for over a century, Union Bank recognises that sustainable development and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand. We believe businesses have a role to play not only in what they say, but also in what they do.
> “Banks play an important role because they help determine where capital flows. The choices financial institutions make about what to fund and what to encourage help shape the kind of economy we build. This is a responsibility we take seriously at Union Bank, and it is one of the reasons gatherings like these matter to us.”
Her remarks reinforced the widely recognised role of the financial sector as a catalyst for sustainable development, with lending and investment decisions serving as powerful drivers of the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, **Dr. Joseph Daniel Onoja**, described environmental conservation as essential to humanity’s future.
> “Nature has placed all the models that we need to be able to live well in it. When we talk about nature conservation or environmental conservation, we’re saying human conservation because nature, Mother Earth, will always take care of herself. If we don’t take care of it, it will take care of itself by getting rid of us.
> “It is therefore in our best interest to protect the Earth and learn from nature because she has already provided everything we need to sustain ourselves.”
The symposium also featured an engaging panel session with secondary school students from Lagos and other parts of the country, adding an important intergenerational perspective to the discussions. The students advocated increased investment in climate-conscious initiatives and renewable energy while showcasing innovative projects that transformed waste into interior décor and clean energy solutions. Their presentations highlighted the ingenuity of young people in advancing **SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)** and demonstrated the critical role of youth in shaping a sustainable future.
Union Bank remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, ecosystem restoration and sustainable development. As an institution that has served Nigerians for over a century, the Bank continues to recognise that protecting the environment is fundamental to building resilient communities and a thriving economy for generations to come.
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### Note to Editors
**About Union Bank of Nigeria Plc**
Established in 1917, Union Bank is one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, providing a broad range of banking services to individuals, businesses and the public sector. Guided by its **”Simpler, Smarter Banking”** philosophy, the Bank combines over a century of experience with digital innovation to deliver convenient, customer-focused financial solutions.
Union Bank operates a nationwide network of more than 300 branches and offers an extensive suite of products and services, including current, savings and deposit accounts, funds transfers, foreign currency domiciliary accounts, loans, overdrafts, equipment leasing and trade finance. Customers also enjoy seamless access to digital banking through Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Debit Cards, ATMs and POS terminals.
