Optimus Bank tackles plastic pollution with Lagos cleanup

L-R: Head of Customer Experience, Ben Olorunselu; Chief Financial Officer, Adetutu Oludare; Head of Corporate Communications, Morolake Philip-Ladipo; Head of Commercial Banking, Oyinade Osobajo; and Treasurer, Oluseun Bamise, all of Optimus Bank, at a beach clean-up exercise in Lagos Credit: Optimus Bank

Optimus Bank has mobilised its employees, volunteers and community stakeholders for a beach clean-up exercise at a beach space in Lekki, Lagos, off the Coastal Road, as part of efforts to tackle coastal pollution.

The exercise, held to mark World Cleanup Day 2026, was organised in partnership with Shoreline Euphoria Limited and RESWAYE. It brought together employees, volunteers, community members and other stakeholders to remove waste from the shoreline and raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and improper waste disposal on coastal environments.

The clean-up resulted in the collection of approximately two tonnes of waste and marine litter, including plastic bottles, sachet-water nylon, food packaging, cans, glass and other solid waste, according to a statement from the bank on Monday.

The collected materials were separated on site into recyclable and non-recyclable streams. Recyclable materials, particularly plastics and other recoverable items, were channelled through appropriate recycling and resource-recovery pathways.

Non-recyclable and residual waste were evacuated and disposed of through proper waste-management channels in partnership with the Lagos State Waste Management Agency.

Speaking on the initiative, Managing Director/CEO of Optimus Bank, Dr Ademola Odeyemi, said, “At Optimus Bank, we believe that our responsibility extends beyond the services we provide to the communities we serve.

“Protecting our environment is an important part of building healthier and more resilient communities, and today’s clean-up is a practical demonstration of that commitment. Through initiatives like PROTECT OUR COAST, we are encouraging our people and our communities to take action, work together and create lasting impact.”

He added, “Sustainable impact is not achieved by one organisation alone. It requires individuals, businesses and communities to play their part, and we are proud to contribute to that collective effort.”

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The beach clean-up also provided an opportunity for Optimus Bank employees to contribute directly to addressing an environmental challenge affecting coastal communities and the wider society.

The partnership with Shoreline Euphoria Limited and RESWAYE highlighted the importance of collaboration in tackling environmental challenges by bringing together a corporate organisation, environmental-focused partners, volunteers and community stakeholders.

Head of Corporate Communications at Optimus Bank, Morolake Philip, said, “Our coast is more than a stretch of sand and water; it is part of our shared home. PROTECT OUR COAST is about turning that understanding into action.

“We want to encourage people to look beyond a single clean-up day and think about the everyday choices that affect our environment, from how we use and dispose of plastic to how we care for the spaces we share. Lasting change starts when responsibility becomes part of our everyday behaviour.”

Beyond the clean-up, the initiative included environmental awareness sessions and sensitisation on plastic pollution and marine litter, followed by community engagement with beach users, residents and other local stakeholders.

Waste segregation and recycling demonstrations showed participants how recyclable materials could be separated and recovered. Volunteer environmental education sessions also covered responsible waste handling and the protection of coastal ecosystems.

Through the activities, Optimus Bank promoted responsible waste disposal and circular-economy practices, while reinforcing the need for continued environmental awareness and responsible waste management.

The bank said it remains committed to working with relevant partners and stakeholders to promote practical action, inclusion, and responsible business while contributing to healthier and more sustainable communities through its “Impact Starts with Us” platform.