Optimus Bank Launches Lagos Blood Donation Drive as Nigeria Collects 371,827 Units Against 2 Million Needed

Optimus Bank has launched a blood donation drive in Lagos to support critical healthcare needs and help close Nigeria's blood supply gap. The initiative, themed "GIVE BLOOD. GIVE LIFE.", was organised under the bank's corporate social responsibility platform, Impact Starts With Us, and brought together employees, stakeholders and members of the community.

The drive targets blood supply for women experiencing childbirth complications and accident victims, and is designed to encourage regular voluntary donation.

Nigeria's Blood Supply Gap

Optimus Bank cited World Health Organisation figures showing Nigeria requires an estimated 1.8 million to 2 million units of blood annually. Only 371,827 units were collected in 2024.

The bank also cited postpartum haemorrhage as accounting for about 23% to 30% of maternal deaths in Nigeria, underlining the need for steady blood supplies.

Safe and timely access to blood remains critical for medical emergencies, including complications during childbirth, accidents, surgery, severe anaemia, sickle cell disorder and cancer treatment.

What the Bank and LUTH Say

Dr Ademola Odeyemi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Optimus Bank, said the bank's responsibility extends beyond banking.

He said: "Through this initiative, we are encouraging Nigerians to give something that can give another person a second chance at life. For us, this is what Impact Starts With Us represents: taking action today that creates meaningful value for people, communities and the future we are building together."

Morolake Philip-Ladipo, Head of Corporate Communications at Optimus Bank, said the campaign was aimed at highlighting the impact of individual blood donations.

She said: "Behind every unit of blood is the possibility of helping a mother, a child, an accident victim or a patient receive the care they urgently need."

The blood drive was conducted with technical support from the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), to ensure compliance with medical and safety standards.

Professor Titilope Adeyemo, Head of the department, said voluntary blood donation was important to ensuring hospitals had blood available when patients required transfusions.

Adeyemo said: "A safe and reliable blood supply is critical to saving lives. Regular voluntary blood donation helps ensure that blood is available for emergencies, childbirth, surgery and patients who require ongoing transfusion support."

Wider CSR Picture

Optimus Bank said the blood drive forms part of its wider social impact efforts covering healthcare, education, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability and community development. The bank said it would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving access to essential services and strengthening communities across Nigeria.

Corporate social responsibility spending by Nigerian lenders has been rising. Eight banks listed on the Nigerian Exchange recorded cumulative CSR donations of N3.69 billion, a 72% increase when compared with the N2.15 billion reported in the same period the previous year.

The bank tied stronger healthcare systems to economic activity, noting that healthier communities are better placed to work, run businesses, support families and contribute to growth. For Nigerian businesses, public health capacity remains a direct input into productivity and operating costs.