In a bid to strengthen collaboration between the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) and the Ikeja Local Government toward enhancing greener, cleaner, and more sustainable public spaces across the state, the General Manager of LASPARK, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola, on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD).
The meeting, held at the Ikeja Secretariat, provided an opportunity to deepen existing institutional relationships and explore new areas of synergy in environmental beautification, urban renewal, and community-focused green development.
The LASPARK delegation was received by the Chairman alongside key council officials.
During her remarks, Mrs. Popoola congratulated the Chairman on his emergence and reiterated LASPARK’s commitment to positioning Ikeja as a model for urban greening in Lagos State.
She outlined the Agency’s core mandates, which include the beautification and maintenance of parks and gardens, statewide forestation through aggressive tree planting, and the promotion of recreational spaces for public wellness.
The General Manager disclosed LASPARK’s plan to plant 25,000 trees across Lagos between now and July 2026, noting that Ikeja is expected to play a strategic role in driving this initiative.
She announced that the Agency hopes to work closely with the Local Government to plant at least 5,000 trees within the capital city while ensuring a high survival rate through joint monitoring and community engagement.
Mrs. Popoola identified key locations with potential for green development, such as the Ikeja Under-Bridge corridor, community open spaces, and major public setbacks, emphasizing the need for additional parks despite the existence of Ndubuisi Kanu Park and JJT Park.
She further expressed concern about the increased rate of indiscriminate tree felling and pruning, especially in the GRA, and called for improved collaboration in enforcing legal requirements for tree management.
Responding, Chairman Dauda described the visit as timely and essential to restoring the environmental charm and aesthetic appeal of Ikeja.
He revealed that the council has already mapped out several areas for beautification, including the Ikeja Under-Bridge stretch, setbacks from the Secretariat to Simbiat Abiola Road, the LAWMA corridor, and the LASUTH perimeter setback.
The Chairman also appealed to LASPARK to extend its annual Christmas decoration project from Allen Roundabout toward Alausa and the Local Government headquarters. Additionally, he sought the Agency’s support in beautifying school premises and pruning overgrown trees within public institutions.
He reaffirmed the council’s determination to address issues such as open defecation and proposed the establishment of modern public toilets in strategic areas to improve environmental hygiene.
Dauda assured LASPARK of Ikeja LGA’s unwavering commitment to collaborating throughout 2026 and beyond to rejuvenate the capital city’s environment, saying “We are committed to building the Ikeja we fondly remember and to handing over a greener, healthier city to the next generation.”
Adekunbi Bakare
Director Public Affairs
LASPARK
14/11/2025
