Sterling One Foundation Champions Plastic Waste Action at WEDex 2025
As the world marks World Environment Day 2025, the Sterling One Foundation is spotlighting plastic waste pollution as a pressing challenge and a powerful opportunity for sustainable development.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Foundation confirmed its participation in WEDex 2025, an event hosted by GreenHub Africa in partnership with the United Nations. The summit, held in Abuja, brings together stakeholders to tackle Africa’s growing plastic pollution crisis through innovation, community engagement, and systems thinking.
Transforming Beaches, Communities, and Policies
Earlier this year, the Foundation led a major cleanup at Elegushi Beach under its Beach Adoption Programme, a nationwide initiative launched in 2021 that has now formally adopted six beaches: Alpha, Eleko, Lafiaji, Iwerekun, Okun Ajah, and Elegushi.
These collective efforts have led to the removal of over 9,000 kilograms of waste, including 4,800 kilograms of recyclable materials. The programme also focuses on capacity building within coastal communities, helping locals to understand their critical role in protecting ecosystems and maintaining long-term environmental health.
“Every cleanup is a chance to restore dignity to the environment and build trust in the systems meant to protect it,” said Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation. “This is not just about cleaning; it’s about securing livelihoods and building resilient communities.”
Supporting Youth-Led Green Innovation
At WEDex 2025, the Foundation will contribute to the ‘Financing Youth Initiatives for Green Entrepreneurship’ session at the United Nations House in Abuja. The discussion will focus on unlocking funding, tools, and networks for youth-led environmental solutions, especially those targeting plastic waste management and circular economy models.
The Foundation believes youth-led innovation can turn the plastic crisis into a new development pathway by creating jobs, advancing climate goals, and driving inclusive growth.
Beyond WEDex: Driving Systemic Impact
The United Nations, a key WEDex collaborator, will also co-convene the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) on July 10–11 in Lagos. This year’s theme, “Scaling Action: Bold Solutions for Climate Resilience and Policy Innovation”, aligns with Sterling One’s ongoing advocacy for structural change in how governments and businesses engage with sustainability.
“Plastic pollution isn’t just about the environment; it’s a development challenge,” Ibekwe emphasised. “With the right partnerships, investments, and local leadership, we can transform waste into opportunity, especially for young Africans.”
Through its work, the Sterling One Foundation continues to demonstrate how strategic partnerships, grassroots leadership, and sustained policy engagement can make plastic waste management a lever for climate resilience, economic inclusion, and community empowerment.
About Sterling One Foundation
Sterling One Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on sustainable development and social impact across Nigeria and Africa. With initiatives spanning education, health, environment, gender, and youth empowerment, the Foundation champions collaborative solutions to drive systemic change and inclusive growth.
