Union Bank of Nigeria has reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability through a beach cleanup exercise conducted in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) at Alpha Community Beach, Lekki, Lagos.
The exercise, held on July 3, 2026, formed part of the Bank’s 2026 Employee Volunteer Day under UnionCares, its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative focused on community development and environmental stewardship.
The cleanup comes amid growing concerns over plastic pollution in Nigeria. According to estimates cited by the Bank, Nigeria generates about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with Lagos accounting for approximately 870,000 tonnes. A significant portion of this waste ends up in rivers, lagoons and the ocean, threatening marine life and coastal communities.
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).
More than 50 Union Bank employee volunteers joined representatives of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and students from Rodan High School, Ajah, for the exercise. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) also provided logistical support to ensure proper sorting and disposal of the collected waste.
Participants were divided into eight groups and collectively removed more than 200 kilograms of waste from the beach. Additional waste was also collected by individual volunteers, with all recovered materials weighed at the end of the exercise to measure its environmental impact.
Speaking at the event, Union Bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs. Olufunmilola Aluko, said environmental protection requires collective responsibility and sustained action.
She noted that the cleanup exercise provided an opportunity for employees to contribute directly to cleaner communities and support efforts to address the growing challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation.
According to her, the Bank remains committed to promoting initiatives that encourage sustainable development and create lasting positive impacts in the communities where it operates.
Union Bank said it will continue to foster partnerships and community engagement programmes that support environmental conservation and reinforce its role as a responsible corporate citizen.
Established in 1917, Union Bank is one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, providing a wide range of banking services to individuals, businesses and public sector organisations through a nationwide network of more than 300 branches and digital banking platforms.