Lagos Launches 500-Tree Campaign to Combat Extreme Heat

The Lagos State Government has initiated a campaign to plant 500 trees across the state to address extreme heat and climate change, with the announcement made on World Environment Day, June 5, 2026. Olalekan Rotimi Akodu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, emphasized the need for nature-based solutions, including tree planting and ecosystem restoration, to combat the urban heat island effect exacerbated by rapid urbanization and greenhouse gas emissions.

The initiative is part of the global "50 Cities, 50°C" campaign, which encourages cities to develop solutions for rising urban temperatures. The Lagos State Government will provide free tree seedlings to residents who participate in the initiative, and a cash prize of ₦2.5 million will be awarded to the owner of the best-performing tree after one year.

The program aims to build a long-term urban greening strategy, with a goal of planting seven million trees, and aligns with efforts to improve climate resilience through investments in mass transit infrastructure.