In an audacious blend of environmental heroism and personal ambition, Nigerian climate advocate Michael Odenigbo is poised to etch his name into the Guinness World Records by planting a staggering 27,000 trees in just 24 hours.
The record-breaking attempt is slated for June 5, 2025—World Environment Day—at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Agbani, Enugu State. If successful, Odenigbo will surpass the current record of 23,060 trees, held by Canadian environmentalist Antoine Moses, and shine a global spotlight on Nigeria’s growing climate movement.
But for Odenigbo, this feat is more than a pursuit of personal glory.
> “The aim is not just to break a record,” he emphasizes, “but to make a significant input in the fight against climate change.”
This environmental marathon is a clarion call to action—a dramatic demonstration of how individual passion can ignite collective consciousness and drive reforestation in a nation grappling with alarming levels of deforestation, desertification, and ecological degradation.
The trees of choice for this ambitious undertaking are Moringa oleifera, a fast-growing, drought-resistant species renowned for its ecological resilience and nutritional richness. Moringa, often dubbed the “miracle tree,” not only stabilizes soil and improves air quality but also offers medicinal and food value—making it a fitting symbol for a project rooted in regeneration and hope.
The venue, ESUT, has thrown its full weight behind the initiative. In a formal approval letter, Vice Chancellor Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie described the project as aligning perfectly with the university’s Green Revolution and Environmental Sustainability Programme. A four-hectare plot of land has been dedicated to the attempt, and the university sees the effort as complementing the Enugu State Government’s broader climate action strategy.
To ensure the success of the event and the survival of the trees, the university has outlined clear requirements: Odenigbo and his team must maintain the planted trees for at least three months and secure all necessary environmental permits.
Guinness World Records officially accepted Odenigbo’s application on January 14, 2025, under the title: “Most trees planted by an individual in 24 hours”, with the reference number 241216003153mtpb. The accompanying guidelines are rigorous:
All trees must be planted within a single, clearly defined location.
No digging machinery is allowed—every hole must be hand-dug at the time of planting.
The entire event must be thoroughly documented through videos, photos, and verified logs.
Two independent witnesses, including at least one qualified arborist or botanist, must be present at all times, rotating every four hours.
The clock runs non-stop for 24 hours—rest breaks are allowed, but the timer does not pause.
Despite the daunting logistical and physical demands, Odenigbo remains undeterred. He views the challenge not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to inspire Nigerians—and the world—to act urgently and boldly for the planet.
> “This is about more than records. It’s about planting the seeds of a movement. One that empowers individuals to believe they can make a difference.”
As the world prepares to mark another World Environment Day, all eyes will turn to a four-hectare plot in Enugu, where one man’s determination might just transform a symbolic act into a global beacon of hope—and a reminder that change begins with those bold enough to act.
PIONEER NEWS 