Employees from a financial institution volunteer to clear trash from a shoreline in Lagos

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More than 50 employees of Union Bank of Nigeria removed over 200 kilogrammes of waste from Alpha Community Beach in Lekki, Lagos, as part of efforts to combat plastic pollution and promote environmental sustainability.

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The beach cleanup exercise, according to a statement made available to Sunday PUNCH, was held in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and marked the bank’s 2026 Employee Volunteer Day under its UnionCares Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.

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The exercise comes amid growing concerns over plastic pollution in the country, which generates an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.

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According to the statement, Lagos alone accounts for about 870,000 tonnes, with more than 88 per cent of the waste reportedly not recycled, allowing large volumes to end up in rivers, lagoons and the Atlantic Ocean.

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The cleanup brought together Union Bank employees, officials of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, students of Rodan High School, Ajah, and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, which provided logistical support and ensured the proper sorting and disposal of the waste collected.

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Volunteers, divided into eight groups, gathered more than 200 kilograms of waste from the beach, with additional litter collected by individual participants, underscoring the scale of pollution along the coastline.

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Speaking at the event, the bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilola Aluko, said protecting the environment requires collective action.

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She said, “At Union Bank, we understand that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to playing our part. As the impact of climate change becomes more evident, initiatives like this allow our employees to take meaningful action, support cleaner communities, and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

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According to the bank, the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

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Union Bank added that it would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and implement community-focused environmental initiatives aimed at reducing pollution and promoting sustainable development across Nigeria.

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