🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Lagos launches 500-tree campaign to combat extreme heat and urban warming
via Punch Nigeria9 min read
The Lagos State Government has initiated a new environmental program to address climate change and rising urban temperatures, pledging to plant 500 trees across the state. This announcement was made during the 2026 World Environment Day celebration in Alausa, where officials highlighted the increasing heat-related risks due to rapid urbanization and climate change. Olalekan Rotimi-Akodu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, advocated for nature-based solutions like tree planting and urban greening to enhance climate resilience. He noted that Lagos, as Africa's most populous city, faces growing threats from extreme heat, flooding, and sea-level rise, which could impact public health, productivity, air quality, and energy demand. The state has formally joined the United Nations Environment Programme’s global "50 Cities at 50°C" campaign, participating under the theme "50 Cities at 50°C: Lagos Rising Against the Urban Heat Island." Additionally, Lagos launched the "Me and My Tree" stewardship program, distributing 500 free tree seedlings and offering a N2.5 million cash prize for the best-performing tree after one year. This initiative builds on a long-running urban greening program that has seen over seven million trees planted since 2009. The state is also investing in mass transit infrastructure to reduce emissions and traffic congestion. Mahamood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, emphasized the urgency of tackling climate change, noti
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