Nigeria’s leading retail bank, Access Bank, has cemented its position as the leader in Sustainability in Nigeria, winning its third consecutive ‘Most Outstanding Company in Sustainability in Africa’ award at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa.

The Bank was recognized for its stellar efforts in promoting sustainability in its business operations and contributing to positive development across the various communities it serves.

Receiving the award, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Access Bank’s Head of Sustainability, credited the leadership of the Bank for its sustainability vision and unwavering support in the development and execution of groundbreaking projects.

“We are delighted to be recognized as the ‘Most Outstanding Company in Sustainability in Africa’ for the third consecutive time. This award speaks to the effort of our team and the support we receive from the leadership of the Bank, starting at the Board level. We feel motivated to sustain this level of excellence, knowing our efforts in conceptualizing and implementing groundbreaking sustainability projects will go a long way in helping us achieve the 2030 Sustainability Development Goals,” she said.

Other award recognitions received by the Bank include the ‘Best Company in Partnership for Development’, ‘Best Company in Climate Action’, ‘Best Company in Sustainability Reporting’, and ‘Best Corporate Communications Team Award’.

The annual SERAS CSR Awards Africa, now in its 13th edition, has grown to become the prime corporate awards promoting and measuring corporate social responsibility and sustainability in Africa. Key industry stakeholders rate it as the industry gold standard recognition for impactful investment in CSR and sustainability. It is the biggest event on the CSR & Sustainability calendar in Nigeria and Africa.

The recognition by SERAS is in keeping with Access Bank’s growing reputation for sustainability excellence. In July 2019, Access Bank became a four-time consecutive winner of the ‘Outstanding Business Sustainability Award’ at the Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards, making it the only African institution to do so. In August 2019, the Bank was also named the ‘Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria’ by the World Finance Awards, becoming a nine-time winner of the award.

Ikechukwu Kalu, Lead Consultant, Customer Passion Point Limited (left); presenting the ‘Best Company in Partnership for Development’ award to Amaechi Okobi, Group Head, Corporate Communications and External Affairs, Access Bank Plc. (right); Suleman Ibrahim, Team Member, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc. (second right); and Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc. (middle), at the SERAs CSR Awards Africa 2019.

Ken Egbas, Founder, SERAs CSR Awards Africa (left); Steve Akoni, Consultant, Leadership4Associates (right), presenting the ‘Most Outstanding Company in Sustainability in Africa’ award to Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc. (second right) at the SERAs CSR Awards Africa 2019.

Esther Sunday, Team Member, Media Relations, Access Bank Plc.; Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc.; Natasha Ibori, Team Member, Sustainability, after receiving the award for the ‘Best Corporate Communications Team Award’ at the SERAs CSR Awards Africa 2019.

Ikechukwu Kalu, Lead Consultant, Customer Passion Point Limited and Bola Adesanoye, Head, Sustainability, Polaris Bank presenting the ‘Best Company in Sustainability’ award to Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc. at the SERAs CSR Awards Africa 2019.

Shola Owoniko, Director, Project Enable; Rhoda Robinson, Gender Director, HACEY Health Initiative; Victor Laniyan, Executive Director, OVL Foundation; Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc.; Dr. Tayo Taiwo, Managing Partner, XPloits Consulting, with the 5 awards won by Access Bank Plc. at the recently held SERAs CSR Awards Africa 2019.