As the world unites under the 2025 Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” LAPO Microfinance Bank is demonstrating what it means to wield institutional power for planetary good. With the climate crisis escalating and environmental degradation threatening livelihoods across Africa and the world at large, the bank is leading the charge in Nigeria through transformative partnerships and sustainable practices that reflect the spirit of this year’s global call to action.
From the drylands of Northern Nigeria to the urban sprawl of Lagos, LAPO MfB is leveraging its reach and influence to catalyse change—restoring ecosystems, improving public health, and driving circular economy solutions.
One of LAPO Microfinance Bank’s most significant environmental interventions is its strategic collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in the area of tree planting in Ogun and Oyo states respectively —a vital strategy in mitigating the effects of climate change. This initiative restores degraded landscapes, improves biodiversity and enhances carbon sequestration. Through this initiative, LAPO MfB aims to address the scourge of climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.
“At LAPO Microfinance Bank, we firmly believe that sustainable development must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility,” says Oluremi Akande, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communication. “Our commitment to environmental stewardship is rooted in our core values and reflected in the strategic partnerships we have cultivated to drive real impact. From tree planting to recycling initiatives and community-focused WASH programs, our interventions are designed to protect the planet while empowering people.”
That people-first approach is especially evident in LAPO Microfinance Bank’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program. To date, the Bank has supported 56 community groups in Kano and Jigawa States, boosting access to clean water, improved sanitation facilities and hygiene education. Prioritising underserved and vulnerable populations, the programme is combating disease, improving living standards and building healthier communities.
With a vision to scale WASH across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, LAPO is poised to multiply its impact and strengthen public health infrastructure nationwide.
This Earth Day, LAPO Microfinance Bank stands as a beacon of environmental stewardship—proving that the power of institutions, when aligned with planetary priorities, can shape a better world. From planting trees that absorb carbon, to enabling access to clean water, and reimagining plastic as a resource instead of waste, LAPO is putting the Earth first—every day.
In a world at a climate crossroads, LAPO MfB is not just echoing the 2025 Earth Day theme. It’s living it.
