The Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), 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 public spaces within the local government.

The event, held at the frontage 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 Olusola Sanwo-Olu, AKOD, delivering the Governor’s keynote address, called on Lagos residents to move beyond discussions on climate change and embrace practical environmental action through tree planting and conservation.

He stressed that Lagos was demonstrating its commitment by taking concrete steps to restore its green environment.

According to the Governor, rapid urbanisation has resulted in rising temperatures, flash floods and increasing 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 and improving air quality, while also enhancing 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, markets and individual residents.

He disclosed that the state had set a target of planting 20,000 trees during the current planting season and revealed 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 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas throughout the rainy season until October to ensure higher survival rates and surpass the state’s planting target.

He, however, emphasised that planting trees alone was 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 Lagos 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 Environment and Water Resources, lawmakers and other stakeholders in planting 50 trees along the median stretching from the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat through 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 go beyond 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 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.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, described tree planting as a strategic investment in public health, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

Wahab, who was represented by the Deputy Director (Geology), LASPARK, Mrs Idowu Tolulope 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.

The commissioner also highlighted recent partnerships that produced eco-friendly playgrounds made from recycled materials for public primary schools, describing the projects as as practical examples of sustainable development and circular economy management.

The 2026 Tree Planting Day was observed simultaneously across all the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State as part of efforts to build a greener, cooler, cleaner and flood-resilient megacity.