The Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), on Tuesday led the 2026 Lagos State Tree Planting Day exercise in Ikeja, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability with a pledge to plant 1,000 trees across strategic public spaces within the council area.
The event, held in front of the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, formed part of the statewide tree planting campaign organised by the Lagos State Government with the theme, “Trees for Lagos: Our City, Our Responsibility.”
Speaking on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, AKOD delivered the Governor’s keynote address, which urged Lagos residents to move beyond discussions on climate change and embrace practical environmental action through tree planting and conservation.
Quoting the late Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Wangari Maathai, the Governor said, “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 stressed that Lagos is demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability by taking concrete steps to restore its green environment.
According to the Governor, rapid urbanisation has contributed to rising temperatures, flash floods and environmental degradation, making tree planting one of the most effective and affordable nature-based solutions to climate change.
He explained that trees improve climate resilience by cooling urban areas, absorbing stormwater to reduce flooding, improving air quality and promoting public health through cleaner air and healthier recreational spaces.
Sanwo-Olu noted that environmental sustainability requires collective action from governments, traditional institutions, community associations, schools, corporate organisations, faith-based bodies, market associations and individual residents.
He disclosed that the state aims to plant 20,000 trees during the 2026 planting season, adding that 13,401 trees, representing 67 per cent of the target, had already been planted across Lagos as of June 30, 2026.
The Governor announced that the campaign would continue simultaneously across the state’s 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) throughout the rainy season until October to improve tree survival rates and exceed the planting target.
He, however, emphasised that planting trees alone is not enough.
“Planting is easy; nurturing is leadership. Every tree planted must be protected, watered and preserved to maturity,“ he said, urging council chairmen to serve as custodians of trees within their respective jurisdictions in partnership with the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK).
The Governor also encouraged residents to obtain free seedlings from LASPARK nurseries in Ikorodu and Agege and plant trees in homes, schools, offices, estates and communities.
Following the address, AKOD led members of the Ikeja Local Government Executive Council, officials of the Nigeria Police Force, representatives of LASPARK, officials of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, lawmakers and other stakeholders in planting 50 trees along the median from the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat to the Police Station, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) office and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.
Speaking after the exercise, the chairman announced that Ikeja Local Government would complement the state’s campaign by planting 1,000 trees in strategic public spaces across the council area.
He said the initiative forms part of the environmental sustainability pillar of the I.K.E.J.A. Agenda, aimed at creating a cleaner, healthier and more climate-resilient local government.
“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,” AKOD said.
He called on residents, schools, businesses, community associations and environmental volunteers to actively participate in protecting the newly planted trees, stressing that environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility.
Earlier, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, described tree planting as a strategic investment in public health, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
Represented by the Deputy Director (Geology), LASPARK, Mrs. Idowu Tolulope, Wahab commended LASPARK for sustaining the state’s afforestation programme and appreciated private sector organisations, development partners and volunteers whose support has continued to strengthen Lagos State’s environmental sustainability initiatives.
