By Ayomide Otitoju
As the world marks World Environment Day 2026 with a focus on “Urbanisation and Climate Change: Building Resilient Cities for a Sustainable Future,” an employee of the NNPC Limited is demonstrating how individual actions can contribute to environmental sustainability through an extraordinary passion for plants.
Mahmood Sani, a long-serving staff member of the company, has turned both his home and office into thriving green spaces, maintaining more than 350 plants at home and over 100 plants in his workplace.
Sani first drew attention to his unusual hobby when he casually revealed during a workplace event that his office housed more than 100 plants. The remark sparked curiosity among colleagues and highlighted a decades-long commitment to nature and environmental preservation.
According to him, his fascination with plants began during his childhood in a boarding school in Kano, where he was surrounded by forests and natural vegetation. What started as an appreciation for the beauty of nature soon evolved into a deeper interest in understanding the health and environmental benefits of plants.
He recalled encouraging his mother to purchase plants for their family home, while also dedicating time to reading extensively about their properties and uses.
Sani said his passion became even more significant after he suffered a serious illness. During his recovery, he researched the relationship between plants and human health and became convinced of their ability to improve wellbeing and create healthier living environments.
“Plants neutralise air pollutants such as benzene and other impurities. For me, they are no longer just decorative items; they are part of healing, health and prevention,” he said.
Today, many of the plants in his home have been with him for nearly two decades, including several bamboo plants. He surrounds himself with greenery, even keeping plants close to his bedside.
Among his favourites is the snake plant, which he describes as one of the most effective indoor plants for air purification and oxygen production during the night.
Sani also maintains a strong interest in scientific research linking environmental factors to health outcomes, including studies on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium associated with stomach inflammation and ulcers.
His dedication to plants extends into his professional life. Having joined NNPC as an Information Technology intern in 1988 before becoming a permanent employee in 1992, Sani has spent much of his career in the workplace and sought to bring nature into that environment. His office has since evolved into a lush indoor garden that serves as both a workspace and a reflection of his environmental values.
Despite limited interest in gardening from his wife and three children, Sani said his family has come to accept and support his passion.
Reflecting on the importance of biodiversity, he noted that all living things interact in ways that give meaning and balance to life.
As cities continue to expand and climate challenges intensify, Sani believes that sustainable urban development should incorporate more natural elements.
His message on World Environment Day is that resilient cities are built not only with concrete and steel but also through the preservation and integration of living ecosystems.
For Sani, maintaining more than 100 plants in an office is not unusual. Rather, it is a personal contribution to creating a greener, healthier and more sustainable future—one plant at a time.
