Lagos Launches Ambitious Tree Planting Drive to Combat Rising Temperatures

In a bid to mitigate the impacts of climate change and rising urban temperatures, the Lagos State Government has embarked on an ambitious environmental initiative. The government has committed to planting 500 trees across the state, as part of a global campaign to address extreme heat in cities. This initiative was announced during the 2026 World Environment Day celebration in Alausa, where officials highlighted the growing risks associated with rapid urbanisation and climate change. According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olalekan Rotimi-Akodu, the adoption of nature-based solutions such as tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and urban greening is crucial for strengthening climate resilience. Akodu noted that forests, wetlands, and green spaces are among the most effective tools for mitigating climate impacts and improving the quality of life in rapidly growing cities. 'Rapid urbanisation, population growth, traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and the replacement of natural landscapes with concrete and asphalt surfaces are all contributing to rising temperatures and the Urban Heat Island effect in cities,' Akodu said. He warned that Lagos, as Africa's most populous city, faces growing threats from extreme heat, flooding, and sea-level rise, which could affect public health, productivity, air quality, and energy demand. The state has formally aligned with the United Nations Environment Programme's global '50 Cities at 50°C' campaign, which encourages cities to develop and share solutions to rising urban temperatures. Under the theme '50 Cities at 50°C: Lagos Rising Against the Urban Heat Island,' the state launched a new environmental stewardship programme, tagged 'Me and My Tree,' which aims to plant 500 trees across Lagos. Residents participating in the initiative will receive free tree seedlings and be encouraged to nurture them to maturity, with a cash prize of N2.5m for the owner of the best-performing tree after one year. The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mahamood Adegbite, emphasized the need to tackle climate change and protect future generations, highlighting the pressure that rising temperatures are already placing on public health systems and increasing vulnerability among children, the elderly, and other at-risk groups. The event brought together government officials, environmental experts, development partners, civil society groups, students, and private-sector stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving environmental sustainability and climate resilience across the state.