Sterling Bank, One Foundation Lead Nationwide Environmental Cleanup Across 17 States

Sterling Bank, One Foundation Lead Nationwide Environmental Cleanup Across 17 States

Sterling One Foundation, in partnership with Sterling Bank, Sunbeth and Partners, government agencies, community volunteers and other stakeholders, has reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability with a nationwide Environmental Cleanup and Beach Adoption exercise held on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

The initiative, aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action, took place across 17 states, covering key locations such as Wuse Market in Abuja, Alpha Beach in Lagos, and communities in 15 other states. The exercise underscored the importance of sustained, community-driven action in tackling plastic waste, environmental degradation and pollution across Nigeria.

Hundreds of volunteers, environmental experts, youth groups and government representatives participated in the cleanup, removing waste, clearing debris, promoting recycling awareness and advocating responsible waste disposal practices.

Speaking in Abuja, Business Executive, Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank, Abuja, Tunde Akande, said maintaining a clean and safe environment requires consistent local participation. According to him, the collaboration between residents and institutions during the cleanup reflects strong communal responsibility and environmental consciousness.

Also speaking, the Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Engr. Braimah Osilama, represented by Omenta Rachael Chinenye, Head, Community Sanitation and Education, Environmental Health and Safety Department, described the initiative as critical to long-term environmental progress. She commended the volunteers and partners, noting that sustainable environmental change depends on continuous education, community engagement and institutional support.

At the Lagos beach cleanup, Divisional Head, Commercial Banking, Sterling Bank, Akporee Idenedo, said the enthusiasm displayed by residents and stakeholders was encouraging. He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to protecting public spaces through its Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM) programme, which has been in operation for over a decade.

Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, described the nationwide exercise as a strong demonstration of collective action. She said the Foundation remains committed to deepening environmental awareness, strengthening partnerships and inspiring sustained action towards a cleaner and healthier Nigeria.

Across the 18 locations covered, volunteers collected plastic waste, cleared debris and participated in environmental awareness sessions focused on recycling, waste sorting and responsible disposal practices.

Sterling Bank is a full-service national commercial bank and a member of Sterling Financial Holdings Group, with over 60 years of banking experience. The bank operates a purpose-driven HEART strategy focused on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation.

Sterling One Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation addressing the root causes of poverty in Nigeria and across Africa through programmes in health, education, climate action and food security, with gender equality integrated as a cross-cutting priority.