Nigerian man aims to plant 27,000 trees in 24 Hours for Guinness World Record

Nigerian climate campaigner Michael Odenigbo is set to attempt the Guinness World Record for the most trees planted by an individual in 24 hours.

The record attempt, scheduled for June 5, 2025—World Environment Day—will take place at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Agbani, Enugu State, where Odenigbo aims to plant 27,000 trees within a single day.

Odenigbo’s target exceeds the current world record of 23,060 trees, held by Canadian environmentalist Antoine Moses.

According to him, however, this challenge is not merely about breaking a world record. It is about raising awareness, inspiring action, and making a concrete contribution to the fight against climate change.

The project, he said, seeks to demonstrate the power of individual commitment to environmental restoration and to serve as a call to action for others, especially in a country facing severe deforestation and rising climate threats.

The planned tree planting will focus on Moringa Oleifera, a fast-growing, drought-resistant species known for its ecological and nutritional value.

The choice of ESUT as the host site aligns with the university’s broader commitment to green initiatives.

In a letter approving the use of a four-hectare parcel of land for the event, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, commended Odenigbo’s project as consistent with the school’s Green Revolution and Environmental Sustainability Programme.

The university expressed its support for the initiative, citing its relevance to the Enugu State Government’s climate action framework.

It also outlined conditions, including the maintenance of the planted trees for at least three months and the acquisition of necessary permits.

Odenigbo’s application for the record was officially accepted by Guinness World Records on January 14, 2025, under the title “Most trees planted by an individual in 24 hours.”

The reference number for the application is 241216003153mtpb.

The acceptance came with a detailed guideline pack specifying the rules for a valid record attempt.

All trees must be planted within a single defined location, with each tree planted in a hole dug at the time of planting.

Digging machinery is not allowed, and the planting process must be documented thoroughly through video, photographs, and witness logs.

Guinness World Records mandates the continuous presence of at least two independent witnesses during the attempt, one of whom must be a qualified specialist, such as a botanist or arborist.

Witnesses must rotate every four hours, and the final count will depend heavily on the accuracy and integrity of the logbook and supporting evidence.

The attempt must run uninterrupted for 24 hours, during which rest breaks are permitted, but the clock will not pause under any circumstances.

Odenigbo acknowledges the magnitude of the challenge but remains optimistic.

For him, the attempt is more than a personal milestone—it is a statement of urgency in the face of environmental crisis and an invitation to Nigerians to embrace sustainability in everyday life.

His decision to stage the event on World Environment Day further underscores the symbolic weight of the project and reflects a broader commitment to global climate advocacy.

“On 5th of June 2025 (World Environmental Day), I will be attempting the Guinness World Record for the Most Trees Planted by an Individual in 24 hours,” he said.

“The aim is not just to break a record, but to make a significant input towards the combat against climate change.”

While Guinness World Records is clear that the provision of guidelines does not guarantee approval until all conditions are satisfied, Odenigbo and his team are pressing forward with preparations.

As June 5 approaches, the world will watch to see if a single Nigerian climate advocate can turn a personal vision into a global triumph—and in doing so, plant not just trees, but the seeds of change.

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