Lagos Govt, NCF Mobilise for 20th Walk for Nature, Call for Climate Action
The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Chevron Nigeria Limited, will host the 20th edition of its flagship environmental advocacy event, Walk for Nature, on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The event, themed “Inspired for Climate Action,” will take place at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, with participants expected to assemble at Makanjuola Hall for the walk, which will commence at 7:00 a.m.
In a joint statement on Monday, the organisers said the anniversary edition would rally Nigerians to move beyond awareness to concrete action to protect nature and build climate resilience amid growing climate risks in Lagos.
Walk for Nature is a flagship environmental advocacy platform of the Lagos State Government and NCF that brings together government agencies, corporate organisations, students, communities and other stakeholders to highlight pressing environmental challenges.
Over the years, the initiative has addressed issues relating to wildlife and biodiversity conservation, pollution, plastic waste, land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.
The organisers said this year’s edition would place climate action at the centre of discussions, emphasising practical steps, responsible choices and collective responsibility.
“For Lagos, climate change is no longer a distant threat,” the statement noted. “Rising temperatures, extreme rainfall, flooding, sea-level rise and loss of natural ecosystems are shaping daily realities.”
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the walk provided an important platform to inspire behavioural change and encourage residents to take greater responsibility for environmental protection.
“Lagos understands the urgency of climate action because our people experience environmental change daily. Government has a responsibility to strengthen resilience and improve environmental management, but government cannot do it alone. Citizens must also take responsibility for how they use and protect the environment. The 20th Walk for Nature is an important platform to inspire that behavioural change and remind every Lagosian of their role in building a cleaner, safer and more climate-resilient city,” he said.
The organisers urged Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents, to translate inspiration into everyday action by reducing waste and plastic use, refraining from dumping refuse in canals and wetlands, planting and protecting trees, conserving wetlands, adopting climate-smart lifestyles and supporting nature-based solutions.
The Director-General of NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja, said climate change was already affecting Nigerians through flooding, extreme heat, displacement, food insecurity and increasing pressure on livelihoods.
“Climate change is no longer a conversation about the future. Nigerians are already experiencing its impacts through flooding, heat, displacement, food insecurity and growing pressure on livelihoods. The 20th Walk for Nature is therefore a call to move from awareness to action. The forests, wetlands, mangroves and other ecosystems around us are part of our climate defence. When we protect nature, we are also protecting our communities, our economy and our future,” he said.
The 20th-anniversary edition of Walk for Nature will feature special activities and youth-focused engagements to recognise the critical role of young Nigerians in shaping the country’s environmental future.
A waste-bin donation exercise is also planned to promote responsible waste management as an essential component of climate action.
Participation is free, and more than 2,000 participants are expected at the event.
Registration is ongoing at bit.ly/20thWFN2026.
Innocent Onoh
