Stanbic IBTC Holdings, A member of Standard Bank Group has concluded
the third edition of its flagship Sustainable Finance Summit,
reinforcing its commitment to advancing sustainable finance in
Nigeria. The hybrid summit brought together leaders from the
financial, regulatory, public, academic and technology sectors under
the theme, ‘Financing a Just Transition: Mobilising Capital for
People, Policy and Prosperity’.
The summit, which was held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria
Island, and streamed live on YouTube, convened C-suite executives,
regulators, investors, sustainability professionals, policymakers,
academics, and other stakeholders from Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking at the event, Chuma Nwokocha, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC
Holdings, said the summit was started to move Nigeria’s sustainable
finance conversation from dialogue to action by bringing together
stakeholders capable of shaping the country’s sustainable finance
ecosystem. He noted that sustainable finance has moved from the
margins to the mainstream, supported by stronger collaboration,
broader participation, and greater market awareness.
“For us at Stanbic IBTC, the conversation about sustainability is no
longer about the future. Sustainability is here, it is real, and it
requires action now. It is about how we allocate capital today; how we
shape policy; how we bring others along on the journey; and how we
build institutions capable of delivering prosperity for every Nigerian
and for future generations.”
In addition to the summit’s focus on action-driven initiatives, the
Standard Bank Sustainability Academy was officially launched as a
significant step towards fostering a culture of sustainability in
Nigeria. This innovative programme aims to provide free, high-quality
educational resources to individuals enthusiastic about sustainable
practices and finance. By engaging a diverse audience, the Academy
seeks to empower individuals, promoting awareness and practical skills
essential for driving Nigeria’s sustainable development efforts
forward. This initiative not only expands access to critical knowledge
but also builds a vibrant community committed to sustainable
solutions.
According to Chuma, “We embraced an initiative-taking approach,
exemplified by the launch of The Standard Bank Sustainable Academy.
This initiative not only provides free access to vital knowledge on
sustainability and sustainable finance but also fosters a vibrant
community ready to engage in Nigeria’s sustainable development
journey,” he stated.
In his opening remarks, Bongo Adi, Professor of Economic and Business
Intelligence, Lagos Business School, said Nigeria had reached a
critical point where economic growth and climate action are no longer
competing priorities.
“At the centre of this transition are people and their livelihoods.
Sustainable finance can catalyse private capital, create green jobs,
strengthen local economies, and foster shared prosperity. The
transition is not merely an exercise in managing risk. It is a
commitment to millions of Nigerians through private investment in
resilient infrastructure, clean energy access, and sustainable
enterprises,” Adi said.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the President on
Climate Finance, Mallam Ibrahim Shelleng, said Nigeria had established
the policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks required to
translate its climate ambitions into investment opportunities. He
highlighted the Climate Change Act, Nigeria’s updated Nationally
Determined Contribution, the Energy Transition Plan, the Electricity
Act, the emerging sustainable finance taxonomy, and the country’s
carbon-market framework as measures supporting an inclusive transition
and increased private-sector participation.
“Nigeria has established a long-term pathway for power, transport,
and industry. The objective is to pursue a transition that is
ambitious, just and aligned with the Paris Agreement. Our transition
must expand access to energy, increasing industrial productivity,
creating employment, and improving the quality of life for
Nigerians,” He reiterated.
In her virtual keynote address, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to
the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, said
Nigeria’s just transition must simultaneously expand access to
reliable energy, strengthen infrastructure, create jobs, and help
businesses respond to climate-related risks.
“The question is not whether Nigeria should develop or transition.
We must do both, and we must find ways to take them forward together.
Clean energy can expand access to reliable power, resilient
infrastructure can protect economic activity, and a strong circular
economy can turn waste into businesses, jobs, and productive
resources. However, these opportunities will not achieve the scale we
need if they remain ideas. They must become well-prepared projects
capable of attracting the right financing,” Oshodi said.
During a panel discussion titled “Unlocking and Mobilising Domestic
Capital for Nigeria’s Just Transition and Sustainable Growth,”
Abraham Durosawo, Vice President at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment
Authority; Efe Omoduemuke, Executive Director, Investments, Stanbic
IBTC Pension Managers; Barbara Izilein, Executive Director, Operations
at The Infrastructure Bank; and Dr Adebola Odunsi, Chief Executive
Officer of Carbonivity, examined the conditions required to attract
long-term domestic capital to sustainable projects.
The panelists agreed that while capital availability was not the
principal constraint, a significant challenge lay in the shortage of
bankable, investment-ready projects. They emphasised that such
projects must have clear objectives, transparent cash flows,
demonstrable market demand, and credible financial projections.
Additionally, these projects need to be properly structured,
appropriately de-risked, and aligned with investors’ return, impact,
and risk requirements.
Furthermore, the panelists highlighted the importance of technical
assistance in preparing viable transactions across both the public and
private sectors. They called for environmental, social, and governance
considerations to be integrated into investment decisions, supported
by credible data, strong partnerships, and appropriate risk-mitigation
structures.
As the financial landscape places greater emphasis on environmental,
social and governance principles, Stanbic IBTC said it would continue
to support initiatives that advance Nigeria’s transition to a
climate-smart and resilient economy. The organisation maintained that
the transition must create measurable economic value while expanding
opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities.
