IITA–CGIAR participated in the 5th Open Day for Gardeners, held from 28 to 30 August at the Ecobank Pan African Center (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos. Anchored by Selah Gardens, Ecobank, and a growing community of gardeners, the annual event brought together gardeners, plant enthusiasts, conservation advocates, artists, entrepreneurs, and nature-inspired businesses in a vibrant celebration of plants, sustainability, creativity, and environmental stewardship.
The three-day event transformed the venue into a thriving hub of nature, culture, and enterprise. Visitors explored an impressive array of indoor and outdoor plants, fruiting and flowering species, forest and gardening resources, indigenous wear, handcrafted pottery, decorative lamp holders, home decor items, fruits, foods, perfumes, arts and crafts, paintings, poetry, games, showroom galleries, and family-friendly recreational attractions such as the jump spot, throw the dice, draw your face, write a poem, and lots more. The event also provided valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, business development, and sales, while continuing to grow a vibrant and connected community of gardeners and nature lovers.
Throughout the event, IITA–CGIAR’s booth attracted a steady stream of visitors eager to learn about agricultural innovation, biodiversity conservation, landscape restoration, environmental education, and sustainable food systems. Guests engaged with staff members, explored plant collections, and discovered how science and innovation are contributing to food security, environmental sustainability, and resilient livelihoods across Africa. The event provided an excellent platform for the IITA Forest Center to showcase its work in conserving plant diversity, restoring degraded landscapes, promoting native species, and inspiring future generations to become environmental stewards.
A particularly engaging feature of the IITA Forest Center booth was its display of indigenous plant seeds alongside their seedlings, creating a unique learning experience for visitors. The exhibit sparked nostalgic memories as many guests recognized plant species that were once common in their childhood homes, family compounds, farms, and local communities. The display prompted lively conversations among gardeners, parents, educators, and plant enthusiasts, many of whom shared personal stories and traditional uses of the plants. Visitors expressed delight at seeing these familiar species again and commended the IITA Forest Center for helping to preserve and promote indigenous plants that are increasingly becoming less visible in urban environments.
One of the highlights of the event was the seminar delivered by Nigeria’s immediate former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, titled “Leaving the Earth better than you found it.” In his thought-provoking presentation, he urged participants to move beyond merely appreciating nature and become active advocates for environmental stewardship. He emphasized the need to preserve seed diversity, protect trees, promote sustainable food systems, and ensure that society’s commitment to restoration matches its consumption patterns. His call for people to become “gardeners in the purest sense—people who nurture life” resonated strongly with participants and reflected the values underpinning IITA–CGIAR’s work in biodiversity and natural resources conservation.
Another memorable moment came when Her Excellency, Dolapo Osinbajo, visited the IITA–CGIAR’s booth. The team shared with her that a ginger species she had previously gifted to the IITA Forest Center had been propagated and was among the plant collections available for sale at the event. She was delighted to learn that the species continues to be conserved, multiplied, and shared with gardening enthusiasts, extending its impact beyond the Forest Center and contributing to the preservation and appreciation of valuable plant resources.
IITA–CGIAR’s participation at the Open Day for Gardeners reinforced the importance of partnerships, public engagement, conservation, and environmental education in building a sustainable future. It also provided an opportunity to connect with a growing network of gardeners, conservationists, entrepreneurs, and nature enthusiasts committed to leaving the Earth better than they found it.
Contributed by
Folake Oduntan
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