By Onu Okorie

Union Bank of Nigeria has commissioned a set of infrastructure projects at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, marking a significant milestone in its employee-driven corporate social responsibility programme.

The intervention, executed under the bank’s UnionCares initiative, was conceived and delivered by members of its 2022–2024 Management Trainee cohort, young professionals who identified the school’s needs and mobilised resources to address them.

The completed projects include the construction of modern toilet facilities for both students and teachers, the renovation of classrooms, the installation of a borehole to provide access to clean and safe water, and the provision of a power generating set to ensure a more reliable electricity supply. Educational materials were also donated to support teaching and learning activities at the school.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer Olufunmilola Aluko described the initiative as a demonstration of what becomes possible when young professionals are empowered to lead meaningful social interventions.

“This project is proof of what can happen when young professionals are given a sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a difference,” Aluko said. “Our 2022–2024 Management Trainees did more than complete a CSR assignment. They identified a genuine need, mobilised support and delivered a project that will have a lasting impact on the lives of these children and the wider school community.”

She noted that the UnionCares programme serves as a platform through which employees channel their skills, passion and resources toward addressing pressing social needs, embedding a culture of responsibility within the institution’s workforce.

For the pupils and staff of Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, the newly commissioned facilities represent more than structural upgrades. Improved sanitation, access to clean water and a more reliable power supply are expected to raise health and hygiene standards, enhance the quality of daily learning, and create a safer, more conducive environment for academic growth.

Union Bank stated that the project aligns with its broader sustainability agenda, which places education among its core social investment priorities. The bank added that it would continue deploying its resources and workforce to support initiatives that create long-term value for underserved communities.

As corporate Nigeria increasingly embraces impact-driven business practices, Union Bank’s Ebute-Metta intervention offers a model for how employee engagement and social responsibility can converge to deliver measurable community outcomes.