Onome Amuge
Lafarge Africa Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading cement manufacturers, has partnered with the Ogun State Government to plant one million trees across 20 local government areas in the state. The initiative, announced to commemorate Ogun Tree Planting Day 2025, marks a significant collaboration between a major industrial player and a sub-national government to promote environmental sustainability and combat the effects of climate change.
The initiative, themed “Grow Trees, Sustain Life,” centered around a large-scale tree planting exercise and the beautification of the second entrance of the Ogun State Secretariat in Abeokuta. The collaboration with Lafarge Africa, a company whose operations have a substantial environmental footprint, is particularly notable. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, the Group managing director and CEO of Lafarge Africa, stated that the exercise is directly aligned with the company’s broader decarbonisation agenda and its ongoing efforts in quarry rehabilitation.
Represented at the event by Gabriel Pollyn, the head of sustainability and sponsorships, Alade-Akinyemi noted the company’s commitment to tackling climate change, restoring degraded landscapes, and enhancing a culture of environmental stewardship within local communities.
“Tree planting is one of the most effective ways to mitigate the impacts of climate change while delivering tangible benefits to the people. At Lafarge Africa, we view every sapling as a living investment in our environment, our economy, and the well-being of future generations,” he said.
The urgency of the initiative was highlighted by Taiwo Oludotun, Ogun State’s commissioner for forestry. He pointed to the local impacts of climate change, including prolonged dry seasons, increased flooding, and rising temperatures, all of which pose threats to agriculture, livestock, and public health. “We are not just planting trees; we are planting hope, health, and the future of our state,” Oludotun asserted.
Beyond the ceremonial planting, the partnership between Lafarge Africa and the Ogun State government is designed for long-term impact. The company has committed to working with local communities to nurture the seedlings and ensure their long-term survival and contribution to the ecosystem.
Lafarge Africa has also committed to planting 150,000 native tree species over a five-year period in both Ogun and Oyo States, extending the scope of its environmental commitment beyond the initial initiative. This pledge signals a sustained effort to restore local ecosystems and contribute to a greener, more resilient Nigeria.
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