By Emmanuel Babafemi
August 28, 2026
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for greater commitment to environmental stewardship, urging Nigerians to move beyond appreciating nature to taking practical steps to protect and preserve the environment.
Osinbajo made the call as he featured as the special guest and seminar speaker at the fifth edition of the Open Day for Gardeners in Lagos.
The three day event was held from 28 to 30 August 2026 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, EPAC, 270 Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Annual Garden Seminar, which featured Osinbajo, was held on Friday, 28 August, under the theme, “Leaving the Earth Better Than We Found It.”
The event brought together gardeners, conservationists, agricultural experts, creatives, families, businesses and nature inspired brands, with more than 50 vendors showcasing plants, soil, garden pots, planters, garden accessories, home fragrances, food and drinks.
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Osinbajo’s participation was particularly significant given his role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF.
In his address, he emphasised the responsibility of individuals and communities to protect the natural environment, linking everyday gardening and the preservation of green spaces to wider environmental sustainability.
The NCF subsequently described the seminar as a reminder that appreciation of nature must be matched by stewardship and advocacy, including planting and protecting trees and safeguarding land and natural resources.
Beyond gardening, the 2026 edition featured discussions involving the NCF, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, and The Dawn Project.
The discussions focused on biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, land restoration and climate resilience, including issues connected to the objectives of the Great Green Wall initiative.
The programme also featured a Plant Swap, designed to encourage the exchange of plants and gardening knowledge, alongside a Handcrafter Garden and Flowers in Vase, a botanical display highlighting plants and floral arrangements.
Fashion was incorporated into the programme through Runway by Nature, which brought together Nigerian designers and fashion brands.
The event also included a photography competition and dedicated spaces where participants could interact with plants, flowers and creative installations.
The organisers said Open Day for Gardeners had evolved from a gathering of plant enthusiasts into a wider platform connecting gardening with conservation, agriculture, creativity, business and community engagement.
Osinbajo’s appearance therefore placed environmental responsibility at the centre of the fifth edition, with the event using gardening as an entry point for a broader conversation about sustainable living and protecting the environment for future generations.
