AIICO Insurance Plc has introduced a new initiative aimed at tackling non-biodegradable waste, promoting responsible consumption, and creating a workplace culture that embraces sustainability. The project, tagged Recycling at AIICO Project, reflects the company’s growing commitment to environmental responsibility and aligns with global calls for corporate organisations to integrate sustainability into their business operations.
According to a statement issued by the company, the initiative was launched in the fourth quarter of 2024 and represents AIICO’s belief that true corporate success extends beyond profit-making to include safeguarding the environment for future generations. The firm noted that the project was aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, which promotes responsible consumption and production, and Goal 13, which focuses on climate action.
Speaking on the programme, the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Manager at AIICO Insurance, Mrs. Abimbola Shobanjo, explained that the project was designed to show that economic growth and sustainability can work together. “The Recycling at AIICO Project demonstrates that growth and sustainability can go hand in hand. We are intentional about reducing our environmental footprint and showing that business success is not defined by profit alone, but by the positive legacy we leave behind for future generations,” Shobanjo said.
She noted that the project has clear objectives, which include reducing the amount of non-biodegradable waste generated across AIICO’s operations, encouraging staff to reuse and recycle materials such as paper and plastics, engaging employees through education and active participation, and embedding sustainability principles into the company’s culture and day-to-day business practices.
The company explained that the pilot phase of the project was first implemented at its Ikeja office. The outcome reportedly showed strong employee participation and measurable improvements in waste management. Based on the success of the pilot phase, the project will now be extended to all AIICO offices nationwide to ensure that the impact is spread across its entire operations.
AIICO further disclosed that the project is being executed in partnership with Wecyclers, a Nigerian waste management and recycling company. Through this collaboration, collected waste materials are properly processed and recycled, ensuring that the initiative delivers tangible environmental benefits.
The firm also stated that it has been organising regular sensitisation campaigns to educate its staff on eco-friendly practices and encourage them to adopt environmentally conscious behaviour both at work and outside the workplace. It added that staff engagement was central to the success of the initiative, as the company wants to make sustainability a collective effort rather than a top-down directive.
To ensure transparency and accountability, AIICO revealed that progress under the project is being closely monitored, with waste data tracked and reported as part of the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures. This, the company said, demonstrates its commitment to measurable results and transparency in its sustainability efforts.
“Responsible business practices and environmental stewardship are inseparable. With this initiative, AIICO Insurance Plc continues to demonstrate corporate leadership in sustainability by showing that protecting the environment is as important as delivering profits,” the statement read.
Industry observers believe that the recycling initiative could set a precedent for other corporate organisations in Nigeria’s financial and non-financial sectors to adopt similar policies. With waste management and environmental pollution still major challenges in Nigeria, particularly in urban areas, initiatives like this are seen as a step in the right direction.
AIICO’s decision to embed recycling and waste reduction into its workplace culture also reflects a growing global trend where companies are expected to adopt sustainable practices as part of their corporate governance. The company’s partnership with Wecyclers further shows the importance of public-private collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s environmental challenges.
As the project extends nationwide, stakeholders will be watching closely to see the scale of its impact and whether it can influence other companies to adopt similar eco-conscious policies. For AIICO, the initiative is not only about fulfilling regulatory or global expectations but also about leaving behind a positive legacy for future generations.
