The Lagos State Government has intensified its fight against climate change with a renewed call to action for residents to actively participate in its ambitious urban greening campaign.
Speaking at the 2026 Tree Planting Day celebration held at Eko Amore Gardens on Freedom Way, Lekki, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu rallied citizens to not only plant trees but also commit to nurturing them to maturity to build a healthier, cooler, and more flood-resilient metropolis.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the annual exercise is a cornerstone of the state’s environmental sustainability agenda. The Governor pointed out that the survival of these trees is critical to unlocking their full ecological benefits.
“Planting trees alone is not enough; their true value lies in ensuring they survive and mature. Environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility that requires the participation of government, communities, schools, traditional institutions, corporate organisations, and residents alike,” Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated.
Progress Toward the 20,000-Tree Target
Lagos is already well on its way to achieving its environmental goals for the year. As of June 30, 2026, the state had planted 13,401 trees, representing 67 percent of its annual 20,000-tree target across its five administrative divisions. The Governor announced that a new planting phase has officially commenced across all 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), running through the rainy season until October to surpass the yearly benchmark.
To ensure the survival of the newly planted canopy, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) is actively monitoring the growth of every tree. Governor Sanwo-Olu charged the leadership of all 57 local councils to step up as “Tree Custodians,” working in close partnership with LASPARK to protect the plants within their jurisdictions.
Strict Penalties for Unlawful Deforestation
The state government is also tightening its regulatory grip on environmental protection. Governor Sanwo-Olu issued a stern reminder to the public that unlawfully felling a tree carries a legal mandate to replace it with five new ones, in accordance with Lagos State environmental laws. 
In tandem with enforcement, the state is celebrating positive action. During the event, the Governor unveiled the 20 Lagos Tree Champions, a group of outstanding individuals and organizations recognized for their contributions to the state’s greening initiatives. This program aligns with the Environment and Health pillar of the administration’s THEMES+ Development Agenda. To encourage widespread participation, residents were urged to collect free tree seedlings from LASPARK nurseries located in Ikorodu and Agege.
Combatting Extreme Weather with Nature-Based Solutions
Highlighting the theme “Trees for Lagos: Our City, Our Responsibility,” the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, described the tree planting initiative as a strategic intervention. He noted that global challenges like rising temperatures, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and severe flooding require urgent local action.
Wahab emphasized that the tree planting campaign is far more than a yearly ritual. It serves as a practical, cost-effective, and highly efficient nature-based solution to shield Africa’s most populous city from the worst impacts of the global climate crisis.
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