Alternative Bank expands Walk4ZeroPlastic campaign to Abuja, Kano

NIGERIA – The Alternative Bank has broadened its environmental sustainability drive by extending its flagship Walk4ZeroPlastic initiative to Abuja and Kano, two of Nigeria’s largest cities struggling with mounting plastic waste.

In a statement, the bank said the expansion aims to inspire collective action against plastic pollution, which threatens health, livelihoods, and the environment in urban centres nationwide.

The Abuja leg of the campaign was held on Saturday, while Kano’s event is scheduled for October 4, 2025.

Both activities will feature symbolic walks and large-scale clean-up drives in markets and public spaces.

“Plastic pollution is choking our cities, but together, we can turn the tide,” said Garba Mohammed, Executive Director (North) at The Alternative Bank.

“Abuja and Kano are ready to show that collective action can make Nigeria’s markets and streets cleaner, safer, and more sustainable. What we are doing is a call to every Nigerian, from market traders to government agencies, to take responsibility.”

The initiative builds on the success of Walk4ZeroPlastic in Lagos, where over 300 participants, including volunteers, market leaders, and government officials, joined forces in June.

That activation earned praise from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources for demonstrating strong leadership in tackling plastic pollution.

The Abuja and Kano campaigns are being delivered in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Business Day Foundation, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, the Daar Communication Group, and the Kano State Ministry of Environment.

Additional support comes from the Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, Sterling One Foundation, Made by Nigeria, Kidney Care Hospital, the Sterling Sustainability Working Group, and The Alternative Foodbank.

Plastic pollution remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing urban challenges. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Nigeria generates more than 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of it ending up in drains, rivers, and open dumpsites.

Poor waste management infrastructure and high dependency on single-use plastics have exacerbated the crisis.

Through Walk4ZeroPlastic, The Alternative Bank seeks to raise awareness of the environmental and health risks of plastic waste while encouraging behavioural change, responsible disposal practices, and long-term sustainability.

By targeting major cities, the initiative not only fosters grassroots engagement but also signals a growing role for private sector players in advancing Nigeria’s environmental agenda.

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