Sterling Bank, partners lead nationwide environmental cleanup across 17 states

Sterling Bank, in collaboration with Sterling One Foundation, Sunbeth and Partners, government agencies and community volunteers, has led a nationwide environmental cleanup and beach adoption exercise aimed at strengthening climate action and environmental protection across Nigeria.

The exercise, held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, took place across 17 states, including Wuse Market in Abuja, Alpha Beach in Lagos and communities in 15 other states, as part of efforts aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action.

SolaceBase reports that hundreds of volunteers, youth groups, environmental experts and government representatives participated in the initiative, which focused on removing plastic waste, clearing debris, promoting recycling awareness and encouraging responsible waste disposal practices.

Speaking in Abuja, Tunde Akande, Business Executive for Institutional Banking at Sterling Bank, said sustained community participation remained critical to maintaining clean and safe cities.

“Maintaining a clean and safe city depends heavily on sustained local participation. The effort in Abuja, where residents and institutions work hand-in-hand, truly embodies communal responsibility and environmental pride,” Akande said.

The Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Engr. Braimah Osilama, represented by Omenta Rachael Chinenye, Head of Community Sanitation and Education at the board’s Environmental Health and Safety Department, described the initiative as important for long-term environmental progress.

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She said partnerships, continuous education and strong institutional support were essential to achieving lasting change, while commending volunteers for their commitment to environmental protection.

At the Lagos beach cleanup, the Divisional Head of Commercial Banking at Sterling Bank, Akporee Idenedo, said the level of participation from residents and stakeholders reflected growing awareness of environmental responsibility.

He noted that the bank remained committed to supporting initiatives that protect public spaces and improve the quality of life in communities, adding that its environmental sustainability programmes had continued for over a decade.

Also speaking during the Lagos exercise, the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, said the nationwide cleanup demonstrated the impact of collective action.

“This effort shows what Nigerians can achieve when united by purpose. Every act of service, no matter how small, contributes to a cleaner and healthier future,” she said.

Ibekwe added that the foundation would continue to promote environmental awareness, strengthen partnerships and encourage sustained action on climate and waste management issues.

Across the participating locations, volunteers engaged in environmental education sessions focused on recycling, waste sorting and responsible disposal, alongside the physical cleanup activities.

The organisers said the initiative was part of broader efforts to combat plastic pollution and restore environmental health through community-led action.