Korede Abdullah 
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has announced a N2.5 million prize for residents participating in a new tree-planting initiative aimed at reducing the impact of rising urban temperatures.
The announcement was made on Friday during activities marking the 2026 World Environment Day at Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park in Ikeja.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olalekan Rotimi-Akodu, said the state would plant 500 trees and launch a campaign known as “Me and My Tree”.
Under the initiative, participants will receive free seedlings and will be expected to nurture them over a one-year period. The best-performing tree will attract a cash prize of N2.5 million.
Mr Rotimi-Akodu said Lagos would also join other cities in signing the United Nations Environment Programme’s “50 Cities at 50°C” pledge.
He said climate change, rapid urbanisation and population growth were contributing to increased heat-related challenges in the state.
According to him, extreme heat affects public health, energy demand, labour productivity and overall quality of life.
The state government said more than seven million trees have been planted across Lagos since 2009 as part of efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
Speaking virtually at the event, UNEP Global Chief Heat Officer Eleni Myrivili said extreme heat had become one of the most significant challenges facing cities worldwide and called for greater preparedness.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) said climate records between 1991 and 2025 showed a steady increase in temperatures across Lagos, highlighting growing concerns over the effects of climate change.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
