Lagos Steps Up Greening Efforts Along Oke Osho–Aiyetoro Road
By Sherif Salau
The Lagos State Government has intensified its environmental greening efforts with the planting of trees along the median of the Oke Osho–Aiyetoro section of the Epe road.
The exercise, carried out by the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), is part of the state’s ongoing initiative to expand urban greenery, improve environmental quality and enhance the appearance of major roads.
The agency’s intervention is expected to contribute to a more attractive road corridor while delivering long-term environmental benefits, including improved air quality, reduced heat and the absorption of atmospheric pollutants.
The development comes as Lagos pushes towards its target of planting 20,000 trees across the state in 2026. As of the end of June, the government had planted 13,401 trees across its five administrative divisions, achieving about 67 per cent of the annual target.
Tree-planting activities have continued during the rainy season, with the state seeking to sustain the momentum and surpass its target.
To ensure the trees survive and mature, local councils have been assigned responsibility for their maintenance for at least 12 months. The arrangement is intended to prevent newly planted trees from being neglected after the initial planting exercise.
LASPARK’s greening programme covers road medians, public parks, school premises, open spaces and other suitable locations across Lagos. The agency has also made free seedlings available to residents, community groups and organisations willing to contribute to the initiative and maintain the trees.
Along the Oke Osho–Aiyetoro corridor, the newly planted trees are expected to gradually transform the road’s landscape as they mature. In addition to improving the area’s appearance, the trees could provide shade and help moderate temperatures in a state increasingly affected by urban expansion.
However, the long-term success of the initiative will depend on regular watering, monitoring and protection of the trees, particularly during their early stages of growth.
The latest exercise underscores the state government’s continued efforts to integrate environmental sustainability into urban development, with effective maintenance expected to determine how much the new green cover contributes to the corridor in the years ahead.
