WASH Coalition Launches Statewide Advocacy Campaign on Climate Action, Open Defecation Eradication, and Tree Planting in Lagos
.....Targets 10,000 Trees Before World Tree Day – Hon. Fuad Oki Leads Community-Driven “Greening Lagos” Crusade
Lagos, Monday, July 7, 2025 –
In response to the escalating environmental and public health challenges across Lagos, the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Coalition, in collaboration with community partners, environmental groups, and local stakeholders, has launched a Statewide Advocacy Campaign focused on climate action, open defecation eradication, and a massive tree-planting drive under the flagship Greening Lagos Initiatives.
The campaign, championed by Hon. Ogboni Fuad Oki, aims to mobilize grassroots communities, raise environmental awareness, and inspire active public participation around sanitation, climate responsibility, and eco-conscious living — all from a community-led, non-governmental platform.
Community-Led Vision for a Cleaner, Healthier Lagos
Unlike traditional government-driven programs, this initiative is being spearheaded by WASH advocates, volunteers, and civil society groups who are committed to achieving environmental justice, promoting hygiene, and advancing climate resilience across vulnerable neighborhoods in Lagos.
Key Objectives of the Campaign Include:
- Awareness Creation: Educating Lagosians on the importance of clean water, safe sanitation, and hygiene.
- Climate Advocacy: Encouraging environmentally sustainable practices to reduce carbon footprints and promote ecological balance.
- Eradicating Open Defecation: Facilitating behavioral change and infrastructural development to eliminate open defecation.
- Massive Tree Planting: Restoring green cover to fight pollution, reduce urban heat, and promote biodiversity.
- WASH: A Lifeline for Public Health
The WASH Coalition emphasized that access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene is a non-negotiable human right and critical to reducing disease outbreaks and enhancing community health.
“This campaign is rooted in the belief that no community should suffer because of preventable waterborne diseases or poor sanitation infrastructure,” said a WASH program coordinator during the launch.
Ending Open Defecation: Policing the Environment for Public Dignity
Open defecation continues to pose serious health and environmental risks in many Lagos communities. The campaign addresses this head-on with advocacy, education, and calls for environmental policing.
“Sanitation is security. Hygiene is health. And dignity is non-negotiable,” said Hon. Fuad Oki. “It is time we start policing our environment with the same seriousness we apply to law and order. We must act now.”
Tree Planting for Climate Resilience: 10,000 Trees Before World Tree Day
One of the major highlights of the initiative is the plan to plant one million trees, with an immediate target of 10,000 trees to be planted before July 15, 2025 – World Tree Day.
This ambitious effort is in partnership with institutions including Yaba College of Technology, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.
“We are not just planting trees – we are planting hope, restoring our future, and healing our land,” Oki said.
Strategic Approach: From Grassroots Mobilization to Policy Influence
The campaign follows a multi-faceted strategy combining community outreach, advocacy, and capacity building:
- Campaign Launch: Official flag-off with activists, media, and stakeholders.
- Monthly Workshops: Trainings on hygiene, climate adaptation, and waste management.
- School Programs: Integrating WASH and climate awareness into school curricula.
- Policy Forums: Engaging lawmakers to strengthen environmental and sanitation policy
- Media at the Forefront of Advocacy
The WASH Coalition recognizes media as a critical partner in amplifying its message. It is calling on journalists, broadcasters, influencers, and content creators to help drive community engagement and amplify impact.
Media Strategy Includes:
- Public Service Announcements (PSAs): Radio and TV broadcasts on sanitation and climate action.
- Feature Reports and Documentaries: Showcasing stories from affected communities.
- Capacity Building for Journalists: Specialized training on WASH and environmental reporting.
- Eco-Occupational Health: Safe Environments for All
The campaign also places emphasis on Eco-Occupational Health and Ideal Environments, recognizing the connection between clean, safe surroundings and mental well-being, productivity, and economic stability.
Hon. Fuad Oki’s Call to Action
“This is not a government initiative. It is a people-powered crusade,” said Hon. Ogboni Fuad Oki, Executive Programme Director of EKO Occupational Safety, Health and Environment. “Climate change is real. Pollution is deadly. Water is life. Trees are our lungs. We must rise – as individuals, as neighborhoods, as institutions – and own our environment.”
Looking Ahead: From Advocacy to Impact
As the countdown to World Tree Day continues, the WASH-led campaign is already gaining traction across Lagos with community leaders, schools, and youth volunteers actively engaging in the Greening Lagos crusade.
With a citizen-focused approach, strong partnerships, and vibrant media participation, the initiative is shaping up to become a national model for community-driven environmental change in Nigeria.
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