LAGOS/Nigeria: The Sterling One Foundation, in collaboration with Sterling Bank, the African Cleanup Initiative (ACI) and several partner organisations, has launched a nationwide beach and street clean-up effort spanning 17 states in a bold move to tackle Nigeria’s escalating plastic pollution crisis.
Speaking during the Lagos leg of the exercise at Alpha Beach on Saturday, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, said the campaign aims to confront the country’s persistent waste-management failures, especially along its coastal communities. She explained that the initiative also showcases how plastic waste can be recovered, recycled and transformed into useful value, citing projects like Waste Bank, which allows residents to convert collected plastics into financial credits usable for school fees and healthcare.
Ibekwe described the clean-up as part of a wider environmental-responsibility movement designed to promote a circular economy and encourage Nigerians to protect fragile coastal ecosystems.
The Divisional Head of Commercial Banking at Sterling Bank, Akpore Idenedo, said the bank’s involvement aligns with its corporate mission to enrich lives while safeguarding the environment. He highlighted the alarming scale of Nigeria’s plastic pollution, noting that the country generates between two million and 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with Lagos accounting for nearly one million tonnes.
“This waste blocks drainage channels, harms aquatic life and worsens flooding. No single organisation can solve this problem; collaboration is key,” he stressed.
Also speaking, Donatus Okpako, Chief Marketing Officer at Sterling Bank, said the clean-up initiative serves both environmental and public-health interests. He noted that coastal communities—particularly children—face significant health risks from pollution, adding that cleaner coastlines enhance recreation, tourism and community well-being.
Founder of the African Cleanup Initiative, Alex Akhigbe, said ACI is serving as the implementing partner for the project. He stated that the programme strongly aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals on climate action, life below water, life on land and community empowerment.
“Our mission is to raise environmentally responsible citizens. Sterling One Foundation has supported us consistently for four to five years across various communities, and the impact keeps growing,” he said.
Environmental enthusiasts participated in large numbers, joining hands to restore the beach and raise awareness on responsible waste disposal.
