A charity polo initiative backed by Access Bank, UNICEF and Fifth Chukker has helped expand educational opportunities for thousands of children in Kaduna State, with organisers reporting significant investments in school infrastructure and community development over the past two decades.
The annual Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament, which began in Kaduna in 2003, has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most prominent sports-for-development initiatives. Since Access Bank entered into a long-term sponsorship agreement in 2008, the programme has reportedly raised more than N1 billion to support education and welfare projects for vulnerable children in Northern Nigeria.
One of the most visible outcomes of the initiative is the development of the Access Bank/Fifth Chukker School Complex in Maraban Jos, located on the outskirts of Kaduna. The facility has expanded substantially over the years, growing from a school serving about 400 pupils to a large educational complex with an enrollment of more than 20,000 students.
According to project partners, the school now includes 120 classroom blocks, a computer literacy centre and other educational facilities, while pupils have also benefited from the provision of uniforms and footwear.
Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Access Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Roosevelt Ogbonna, said the programme was designed to address the challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
“Nigeria faces a profound challenge. Over 10.5 million children are out of school, with a significant number in the North. This compels us to act, transforming despair into hope,” Ogbonna said.
Beyond education, the partnership has also funded a range of community development projects across several communities in Kaduna State. These include the construction of boreholes to improve access to clean water, support programmes for women through the distribution of sewing and grinding machines, the establishment of cooperative societies for farmers and artisans, and the provision of solar-powered electricity in underserved communities.
The initiative has also maintained a fundraising component, with proceeds from the annual polo tournament supporting UNICEF programmes that improve the welfare and educational prospects of children.
In addition to activities in Nigeria, the fundraising effort was expanded to the United Kingdom through the Access Bank UK Charity Polo Day, an annual event held at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor. Funds generated through the event contribute to similar child-focused interventions.
The Kaduna State Government has continued to acknowledge the initiative’s role in supporting education and rural development across the state.
Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, described the programme as an important intervention that addresses the needs of vulnerable children while also supporting broader community development goals.
“The government and people of Kaduna State appreciate Access Bank and its partners for sustaining this important campaign, which addresses the needs of children while contributing significantly to rural development,” she said.
The Access Bank–UNICEF–Fifth Chukker partnership has become a longstanding example of how sport can be used as a platform for social intervention, combining fundraising activities with investments in education, community infrastructure and child welfare programmes.
As the tournament enters its third decade, stakeholders say the focus remains on expanding access to education and improving opportunities for children in underserved communities across Northern Nigeria.
