Sterling Bank, in partnership with Sterling One Foundation, Sunbeth and Partners, and other stakeholders, has reinforced its commitment to climate action and environmental sustainability through a nationwide Environmental Cleanup and Beach Adoption exercise held on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
The initiative, aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action, was carried out across 17 states, covering major locations such as Wuse Market in Abuja, Alpha Beach in Lagos, and communities in 15 other states nationwide.
The exercise aimed to promote community-driven efforts to tackle plastic and waste pollution while restoring the health of Nigeria’s environment.
Hundreds of volunteers, environmental professionals, youth groups, community members, and government officials participated in the cleanup, removing plastic waste and debris, promoting recycling awareness, and encouraging responsible waste disposal practices across all locations.
Speaking in Abuja, Tunde Akande, Business Executive, Institutional Banking at Sterling Bank, said the success of the exercise underscored the importance of local participation in environmental sustainability. According to him, sustained collaboration between residents and institutions is critical to maintaining clean and safe cities.
Also speaking on the initiative, the Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Engr. Braimah Osilama, represented by Omenta Rachael Chinenye, Head of Community Sanitation and Education, Environmental Health and Safety Department, described the partnership as essential for achieving long-term environmental progress.
She commended the commitment of volunteers, noting that continuous education, community engagement, and institutional support are key to lasting environmental change.
At the Lagos beach cleanup, Divisional Head, Commercial Banking at Sterling Bank, Akporee Idenedo, praised the collective effort of residents and stakeholders, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to initiatives that protect public spaces and improve quality of life.
He highlighted the Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM) programme, which has been in existence for over a decade, as part of the bank’s ongoing environmental sustainability efforts.
Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, described the nationwide cleanup as a strong demonstration of the impact of collective action. She said the Foundation remains committed to deepening environmental awareness, strengthening partnerships, and inspiring sustained action toward a cleaner and healthier Nigeria.
Across all participating locations, volunteers collected plastic waste, cleared debris, and took part in environmental education 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 operating history in Nigeria. The bank is guided by its HEART strategy, which focuses on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation.
Sterling One Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to addressing the root causes of poverty in Nigeria and Africa through programmes in health, education, climate action, and food security, with a strong emphasis on partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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