By Abdullahi Lukman
Ogun State government has announced an ambitious plan to plant one million trees across its 20 local government areas by the end of this year’s planting season as part of a statewide environmental sustainability drive.
This initiative, tagged “One Citizen, One Tree,” was launched during the 2025 Ogun Tree Planting Day held in Abeokuta on Saturday.
The event was organized by the state’s Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Ministries of Forestry; Physical & Urban Development; and Housing, and Community Development.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by Commissioner for Forestry, Oludotun Taiwo, said the campaign is aimed at addressing climate change, reducing urban temperatures, and mitigating flood risks caused by ozone layer depletion.
“Today, we are not just planting trees, we are planting hope, health, and the future of Ogun State,” the governor said.
The campaign will involve the establishment of community tree sites, training of 500 youths and women as green ambassadors, and integration of tree planting into school curricula and market sanitation programs.
According to the governor, trees serve as natural infrastructure—providing oxygen, fruit, medicine, and economic value.
Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, noting that Ogun, being an industrial hub, must lead in decarbonization efforts.
He added that tree planting in the state will be both scientific and survival-driven, with incentives for high-performing institutions, schools, and groups.
Supporting the campaign, the Commissioner for Physical and Urban Development, Tunji Odunlami, highlighted that tree preservation is embedded in town planning regulations and urged developers to avoid indiscriminate tree felling during construction.
Meanwhile, a representative of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Adeyemo Olayomade, assured that the organization will monitor and support the trees to ensure they reach maturity.