ABUJA – The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has
stressed the need for Nigerians to protect the ecosystem, warning that henceforth
banks will consider sustainable banking principles when lending money to individuals
and corporate entities.
He disclosed this on Thursday, June 3, 2021, while leading his deputies to plant trees at
the CBN Head Office in commemoration of the 2021 World Environment Day with the
theme: “Ecosystem Restoration”.
Mr. Emefiele said that the Nigerian banking sector was committed to protecting the
environment by making sure that the principles of sustainable banking are put in place
when banks consider those, they offer credit.
Citing examples of institutions that refuse to grant credit to customers whose activities
pollute the environment, the Governor enjoined Nigerians to strive to make the
environment green by restoring the ecosystem and avoiding pollutants that destroy the
earth.
“There is the need for the environment to go green. We must join the global community
to ensure that we clean the environment and rid the ecosystem of pollutants that are
harmful to us,” he added.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the planting of trees by Mr. Emefiele and the Deputy
Governors of the Bank; Mrs. Aishah Ahmad (Financial System Stability); Mr. Edward
Lametek Adamu (Corporate Services), Dr. Kingsley Obiora (Economic Policy) and the
representative of the Deputy Governor Operations, Mr. Folashodun Shonubi.
