Lagos unveils N2.5m tree-planting prize to tackle urban heat

The Lagos State Government has unveiled a N2.5m tree-planting prize as part of activities marking the 2026 World Environment Day celebration, in a move aimed at encouraging residents to embrace environmental sustainability and help tackle the growing challenge of urban heat across the state. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olalekan Rotimi-Akodu, announced the initiative on Friday during the World Environment Day celebration held at the Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park, Ikeja. This comes on the heels of the United Nations’ recognition of the state among 50 cities across the world with the potential of experiencing extreme weather temperatures of up to 50°C. The event, themed “Inspired by Nature for Climate, For Our Future,” focused on the role of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change and building resilient cities. Rotimi-Akodu said the state government would commemorate this year’s World Environment Day by planting 500 trees across Lagos and launching a special initiative tagged “Me and My Tree.” According to him, the initiative will provide free seedlings to participants, who will be required to nurture and maintain the trees for one year, after which the owner of the best-performing tree will receive a cash reward of N2.5 million. “As we celebrate this year’s World Environment Day, the State Government, through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, has committed to planting 500 trees to commemorate the occasion. “The Ministry is also introducing a special initiative tagged ‘Me and My Tree.’ Under this programme, free seedlings will be provided to participants, who are expected to nurture them and ensure their survival. After one year, the best-performing tree will be awarded a prize of N2.5m,” he said. The special adviser noted that Lagos would also join other cities around the world in signing a pledge under the United Nations Environment Programme’s 50 Cities at 50°C initiative, which seeks to address the growing challenge of extreme heat in urban centres. He said the state had adopted the theme “50 Cities at 50°C: Lagos Rising Against the Urban Heat Island” to align its climate adaptation efforts with global strategies aimed at mitigating rising temperatures. Rotimi-Akodu warned that climate change, rapid urbanisation and population growth were placing immense pressure on cities, resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions, loss of vegetation and rising temperatures. According to him, the World Meteorological Organisation confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures excee