By Abdullahi Lukman
The Sterling One Foundation, in partnership with Sterling Bank and the African Cleanup Initiative (ACI), has launched a nationwide beach and street clean-up across 17 states to combat Nigeria’s escalating plastic pollution crisis.
The exercise, held on Saturday at Alpha Beach in Lagos, aims to improve waste management along Nigeria’s coastlines. According to the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Olapeju Ibekwe, the initiative also promotes recycling and plastic-to-value solutions, including Waste Bank programmes that allow community members to exchange plastics for financial credits.
Sterling Bank’s Divisional Head for Commercial Banking, Akpore Idenedo, said the project aligns with the bank’s environmental and social commitments. He highlighted Nigeria’s annual plastic waste output — estimated at 2 to 2.5 million tonnes — with Lagos contributing about one million tonnes, stressing that only collaboration can address the challenge.
Also speaking, the bank’s Chief Marketing Officer, Donatus Okpako, said cleaner coastlines reduce health risks for coastal communities, especially children, while encouraging recreation and community wellness.
ACI Founder, Dr. Alex Akhigbe, noted that the initiative supports key Sustainable Development Goals on climate action and ecosystem protection. He added that the partnership with Sterling One Foundation, now in its fourth year, continues to empower communities and promote environmental responsibility.
The clean-up attracted scores of environmental volunteers who worked together to clear waste from the beach.
