Nigeria requires between 1.8 and 2 million units of blood annually but meets just 25 to 30 percent of its need. The shortage affects emergency care, sickle cell treatment, and maternal health where severe bleeding after childbirth is a leading cause of death. Hence, the need for blood is constant, and the gift of blood donation makes the difference between life and loss.
Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) corporate social responsibility efforts enabled Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) to conduct annual blood donation drives since 2022 to inspire and strengthen the culture of voluntary blood donation. It is organised in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), and Nigerian RedCross, Lagos Chapter.
It is noteworthy that a laudable record of 550 blood donors, of which 35% were first time donors, was achieved on February 6 and 7, 2026. This achievement builds on a steady climb over the past four years. VCDF recorded exponential increase from 98 donors in 2022, 147 in 2023, 268 in 2024, and 341 in 2025. These earned VCDF the Blood Donation Champion Award from Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service. The success is inseparable from the commitment of SEEPCO’s volunteers and blood donors.
The cumulative donation now stands at 1,404 donors. Each donor represents the growing willingness to overcome myths and religious concerns that once discouraged blood donation. Intense mobilisation efforts, awareness drives, community engagement activities, responses to frequently asked questions, and other social and behaviour change communication components adopted improved prospective donors to register. These were also instrumental in reshaping perception, and behaviour towards blood donation.
“Although I had myths that discouraged me from donating earlier, but these have been corrected by awareness, confidence, and voluntary participation. Thanks to the intense awareness activities. I am a third time donor,” said Vivian a blood donor.
“I voluntarily donated because my wife has benefitted from blood donation when she lost so much blood during childbirth. I appreciate the practical guidance provided to blood donors to ensure safe and healthy donation practices,” submitted Noah, also a blood donor.
“I felt fulfilled after donating blood because I was encouraged by the right information, and guidelines. I appreciate the care I received which made my experience smooth and memorable as a first-time donor,” stated Ismail, another blood donor.
For over four years, Sterling Oil has collaborated with VCDF and other health organisations across its operating locations to deliver impactful healthcare outreach programmes and regular medical camps. These initiatives address common health issues such as high blood pressure, cough, malaria, typhoid, skin diseases, and other ailments across different LGAs, providing free consultations, medicines, and basic laboratory tests on the spot.
In this series, the 2026 Blood Donation Drive has shown that it is possible to break barriers, inspire action, and save lives, while encouraging voluntary donations, strengthening community engagement, and building a reliable pool of blood donors for hospital emergencies, all contributing to overall community wellness.
Sterling Oil maintains a strong focus on building a sustainable and socially responsible business, contributing to national development, respecting host communities, and creating lasting value for stakeholders. The company’s sustainability efforts are driven by steady, impact-focused progress and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, reflected in initiatives that support afforestation, promote greener fuel alternatives, and strengthen safe and efficient workplace practices.
In the same spirit of responsible corporate citizenship, Sterling Oil says it remains dedicated to enabling positive public-health outcomes through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, adding that VCDF will continue to leverage SEEPCO’s support to advance impactful social initiatives aimed at promoting a healthier Nigeria.