Amos Atumye Alao, President of the Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (SLAN), has issued a stark warning about the escalating heat crisis gripping the nation, urging immediate investment in green infrastructure to protect urban populations.

With record-breaking temperatures and high humidity levels reported across the country, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has flagged the increasing risks of heat stress, heat stroke, and other health complications. In cities like Lagos and Abuja, the situation is worsened by the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, where concrete-dominated landscapes absorb and trap heat, making temperatures significantly higher than in surrounding rural areas.

“The extreme heat we are experiencing is not just a weather anomaly; it is a direct consequence of poor urban planning and limited green infrastructure,” Alao stated. “If we don’t act now, Nigerian cities will become increasingly unlivable.”

SLAN is advocating for urgent, science-backed solutions to combat rising temperatures, including tree planting, urban greening, and nature-based interventions. Trees such as terminalia mentalis and albizia lebbeck, known for their cooling properties, can significantly reduce surface temperatures, improve air quality, and provide essential shade in densely populated areas.

However, Alao stresses that tree planting alone is not enough. To build climate-resilient cities, landscape architects must be actively involved in climate-responsive design and heat-mitigation strategies.

SLAN highlights key strategies such as strategically positioning heat-tolerant vegetation to maximize cooling, creating parks, green corridors, and urban forests to lower temperatures and enhance biodiversity, and incorporating green roofs, vertical gardens, and permeable surfaces to reduce heat absorption and improve air circulation.

“Rising temperatures will continue to impact productivity, health, and overall quality of life if we don’t integrate sustainable solutions into city planning,” Alao emphasized. “We must prioritize landscape architecture as a vital tool for climate adaptation and mitigation.”

SLAN is calling on the government, and real estate developers to collaborate with landscape architects to design and implement climate-conscious policies. Without immediate intervention, Nigeria risks worsening urban heatwaves, increased energy costs, and declining public health.

“The time to act is now. Our cities, our economy, and our well-being depend on sustainable urban development,” Alao concluded.