Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a Standard Bank Group member, has held its third Sustainable Finance Summit to advance Nigeria’s sustainable financing options.

Themed “Financing a Just Transition: Mobilising Capital for People, Policy and Prosperity,” the event aimed to drive the nation’s sustainability dialogue toward practical action.

Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, ChumaNwokocha, stated that the platform was established to unite key leaders capable of shaping the nation’s sustainable finance ecosystem and turning conversations into concrete outcomes.

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 initiative, according to the company, 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.

Professor of Economic and Business Intelligence, Lagos Business School, Bongo Adi, 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.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, TitilayoOshodi, said Nigeria’s just transition must simultaneously expand access to reliable energy, strengthen infrastructure, create jobs, and help businesses respond to climate-related risks.