Polaris Bank is pleased to announce that it has been notified of the completion of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the acquisition of 100 percent of the equity in Polaris Bank by Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL). As part of the change in ownership, SCIL has appointed a new independent Board of Directors to lead the bank’s growth strategy.
The new Board will be led by the existing Chairman M K Ahmad. He will be joined on the board by 6 non-executive directors and 3 executive directors, bringing extensive experience in the banking and wider financial services sector in Nigeria and internationally, and expertise in corporate governance, human resource management, law and regulation.
The incoming Board are:
Alhaji MK Ahmad (Chairman)
Mr Abubakar Danlami Suleiman (Non-Executive Director)
Ms Salma Mohammed (Non-Executive Director)
Mr Adeleke Alex Adedipe (Non-Executive Director)
Mr Ahmed Almustapha (Non-Executive Director)
Mr Francesco Cuzzocrea (Non-Executive Director)
Mrs Olabisi Olubunmi Odunowo (Non-Executive Director)
Mr Adekunle Sonola (Executive – MD/CEO)
Mr Abdullahi S Mohammed (Executive Director)
Mr Segun Opeke (Executive Director)
Commenting on the acquisition and board transition, Chairman of Polaris Bank, Alhaji M K Ahmad said: “I would like to thank the outgoing board members profusely for their hard work and dedication over the last four years as we have established a strong governance structure and stabilised the bank. I am very pleased with the progress we have been able to make, and that we have delivered on our mandate to prepare the bank for a return to private ownership. I am personally proud to have been asked to lead the bank into an exciting new future and I look forward to working with the new board and our core investors to build on the platform we have created.”
Speaking on behalf of SCIL, the new core investor, Adekunle Sonola, the incoming MD/CEO said: “We are excited to participate in the next phase of growth for Polaris Bank and to have been able to recruit such an experienced and diverse Board of Directors we are confident can lead Polaris Bank into a new era of sustainable growth. This is an exciting time for the Nigerian financial services industry and we are committed to building on the strong foundations that have been established by the departing board. We would like to express our thanks for their service and wish them well.
We have mandated the incoming management to develop an innovative, but sustainable growth strategy that prioritises the needs and aspirations of our current customers.”
About Polaris Bank
Polaris Bank was established by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on September 21, 2018, to offer commercial banking services to the Nigerian public. The bank commenced services on the same day, having purchased the assets and assumed certain liabilities of the defunct Skye Bank.
With a footprint of over 253 branches across the country, Polaris Bank prides itself in delivering exceptional customer experience, leveraging best-in-class/state-of-the-art Information Communication Technology (ICT). By focusing on ICT solutions across multiple service delivery channels (mobile banking, ATMs, POS and online platforms) Polaris Bank maintains a pivotal role in the Nigerian banking industry, providing customers with simple, convenient and secured banking services.
About Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL).
Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL) is a special-purpose vehicle established by Ponglomerape Limited and Clotaire Investment Limited to acquire 100% of Polaris Bank with a focus on institutionalisation and technology driving the growth of the bank into a top ten Nigerian Bank in 5 years.
Ponglomerape is a diversified conglomerate and successful private investment group with investments in the real estate, agriculture, manufacturing and consulting sectors.
Clotaire is a private investment vehicle controlled by the founders of a leading West African private investment company with interests in a wide range of sectors.
