Korede Abdullah LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos tree planting campaign has gathered pace as Ikeja Local Government pledges to plant 1,000 trees across public spaces in support of the state’s environmental sustainability and climate resilience strategy.
Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda, leads the 2026 Lagos State Tree Planting Day exercise on Tuesday at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat as part of the statewide campaign themed “Trees for Lagos: Our City, Our Responsibility.”
Speaking on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dauda urges residents to take practical action against climate change, quoting Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai.
“Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you have not done a thing. You are just talking.”
He reveals that 13,401 trees—representing 67 per cent of the state’s target of 20,000 trees—had already been planted as of June 30, 2026.
Sanwo-Olu says the campaign will continue across all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas until October to improve tree survival rates and exceed the state’s target.
“Planting is easy; nurturing is leadership. Every tree planted must be protected, watered and preserved to maturity,” the governor says.
He also encourages residents to obtain free seedlings from Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) nurseries in Ikorodu and Agege for planting in homes, schools, offices and communities.
“Our responsibility does not end with planting these trees today. We will ensure they are nurtured to maturity because every surviving tree contributes to cleaner air, reduced heat, improved biodiversity and a healthier environment for our people,” Dauda says.
Earlier, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, represented by LASPARK Deputy Director (Geology), Mrs Idowu Tolulope, described tree planting as a strategic investment in public health, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
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