The Ogun state government has announced the complete resuscitation of all six of its previously moribund forest reserves as part of a renewed state level push to combat climate change and restore degraded ecosystems.
The announcement was made on Saturday during the official commemoration of the 2026 Ogun Tree Planting Day.
The event, themed “Root for the Future: Plant a Tree, Heal the Earth,” was jointly organized by the state ministry of environment and the ministry of forestry.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Dapo Abiodun, state governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, deputy governor, stated that tree planting goes far beyond simply placing seedlings in the soil.
“Rising temperatures, flooding, long dry seasons, land degradation and biodiversity loss are realities increasingly affecting our communities, livelihoods and economy,” Salako-Oyedele said. “Environmental stewardship is now an essential part of sustainable development.”
Providing operational details during the event, Taiwo Oludotun, state commissioner for forestry, noted that the administration successfully rehabilitated all six forest reserves that had fallen into neglect and decay prior to the current tenure, resulting in a measurable increase in the state’s overall forest cover.
Adding to the remarks, Ola Oresanya, commissioner for environment, emphasised the critical ecological function of the renewed green spaces.
“Every seedling of a tree planted is a practical investment in climate action and sustainable development,” Oresanya said.
He urged residents, students, and corporate entities to actively monitor, nurture, and protect young trees from damage to maximize carbon capture and combat soil erosion.
