Who We Are

Optimal Greening is a non-profit organization committed to restoring health and dignity to Africans in marginalized communities through access to clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services, anchored on environmental sustainability and community development.

To restore dignity to Africans in disadvantaged or marginalized communities through access to clean water, energy, cooking, sanitation, and improved waste management services.

To drive sustainable transformation in rural and marginalized communities across Africa by mobilizing resources, fostering partnerships, and implementing collaborative solutions that enable lifestyle changes and improve quality of life.

Message from our Founder

Welcome to Optimal Greening!

Finding my WHY… I was born and raised in Benin City, a relatively small town in Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa. In my late teenage years, my family emigrated to the United States, where I attended university and began my career.

I lived and worked in the U.S. for over a decade before my husband and I decided to relocate back to Nigeria in 2008, with hopes of making contributions to the development of our home county.

Upon my return, although now living in Lagos, I was faced with the stark differences in the quality of life and wellbeing of most Nigerians compared to Americans.

Basic amenities such as electricity, water and sanitation, which most people in developed countries take for granted were severely lacking. Sights of children carrying buckets of water on their head in the morning and adults openly defecating in public are not uncommon.

As a mother, I particularly empathized with women, who are primarily responsible for caring for children and the home, of which access to clean water is a critical component.

My passion for the environment stems from my early career days as an Environmental Engineer and has deepened over the last couple of decades with the growing impacts of climate change, which has led me to delve deeper into the field of sustainability.

However, my experiences as an adult in Nigeria have framed my perspective on Sustainable Development and spurred me to act in favor of people, planet, and prosperity, within my local context.

Optimal Greening was established in 2020 with the vision to “Restore Dignity to Africans” by ensuring access to basic amenities such as clean water and sanitation for the millions of people who still lack access on the continent.

Our growing team is dedicated to delivering environmental sustainability solutions that bring about positive social impact to improve the well-being of these vulnerable people.

Our mission is clear, to enable change and better quality of life for underserved communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

I hope you join us on this socially and environmentally impactful journey.

Osen Iyahen
Founder & CEO

Our Why

Environment

Reduce environmental pollution associated with poor WASH services, especially in disadvantaged and rural communities

Health

Reduce the high incidence of waterborne and enteric diseases linked to lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities

Women & Girls

Reduce adverse impacts of poor WASH on education and productivity; and lower the risk of gender-based violence

Children

Improve health indicators for stunting, severe wasting, morbidity, and mortality, particularly for children under 5 years

Sustainable Development

Support the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with primary focus on Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Gender Equality (SDG 5), while addressing SDGs 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 17