The Federal Colleges of forestry and resources under the Federal Ministry of Environment has received a boost as the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has pledged to sponsor five hundred and forty (540), Borno state indigenes in to the one of the Seven (7) Federal Colleges of forestry resources management institute in Maiduguri, Borno state.
The Governor made the pledge during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Top Management Retreat and National Tree Planting Campaign held recently in Maiduguri, Borno State organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Borno state government, saying twenty students (20) would be sponsored each from the twenty Seven (27) Local Government Areas of the state.
The theme of the Retreat is: “Strengthening Enforcement, Innovation & Institutional Performance for Sustainable Environmental Governance.”
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal in his address commended Governor Zulum for his giant strides in the environment sector in the state and urged state governors to emulate him by providing sponsorship for their students to the various Federal Colleges of forestry resources management institutions located across the six (6) geo-political zones of the country to encourage and boost Forest education in the country.
He also appreciated the Governor for his leadership and proactive stance on environmental issues and valuable decisions on environmental restoration, climate action, and sustainable development.
The minister highlighted the Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, as a key policy instrument under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The order aims to protect Nigeria’s forest resources, curb illegal logging, and encourage tree planting as a national duty.
“Today’s ceremony represents a renewed reaffirmation of our collective commitment to restoring degraded landscapes, conserving biodiversity, and strengthening our capacity to address the impacts of climate change.
Lawal pledged the Federal Ministry of Environment’s continued partnership with the State Governments and Borno State Government on afforestation, ecosystem restoration, and other interventions tailored to the region’s needs.
Together, “Nigeria’s environment future can be secured by protecting natural heritage, strengthening climate resilience, and advancing inclusive and sustainable development for present and future generations”, he stated.
The Minister reemphasized that the environment is not an abstract concept.
“It is the air we breathe, the land that feeds us, the rivers that sustain communities, and the climate that shapes the future”.
He emphasized that Nigeria as a country has its own share of unprecedented environmental challenges: creeping desertification in the North; devastating floods and erosion in the South-East and South-South; oil pollution and gas flaring in the Niger Delta; rampant deforestation; and the escalating impacts of climate change.
According to him “These are daily realities affecting millions of citizens and threatening food security, public health, livelihoods, and national development”.
Balarabe disclosed that under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda the Federal Ministry of Environment has intensified efforts toward building a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Nigeria.
Balarabe, however, used the occasion to highlight some landmark initiatives such as the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall restored over 1.14 million hectares of degraded land and supported the planting of more than 1.5million trees across the country, added that the achievements demonstrate a clear national commitment to securing environmental sustainability while advancing economic growth.
He commended the 20th Shehu of Borno His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, the entire people of Borno state for the warm hostility accorded him and his Management team during the Retreat.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Salihu Aminu Usman in his welcome address expressed the Ministry’s sincere appreciation to his Exellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum and to good people of Borno state for the warm hospitality, excellent arrangements and unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and national development.
Dr. Salihu disclosed that the choice of Borno State as the venue for the retreat is particularly significant as it represents a powerful story of resilience . “It’s a place that has faced many challenges yet continues to rebuild, innovate and look confidently towards the future” he added.
The Director General, Borno state Agency for the Great Green Wall, Amb. Aliyu Usman stated Borno State has emerged as national leader in afforestation, climate- smart Agriculture, renewable energy eco system restoration and sustainable water resources management.
Amb. Usman further disclosed that in advancing smart climate Agriculture, 3.3 hectares of degraded land have been restored in the state, disclosing that the remarkable achievements reflect his Exellency’s unwavering commitment to protecting the environment,combating climate change, restoring degraded ecosystem and improving the quality of life of the people of Borno state.
Activities line-up for the retreat included, National Tree Planting Campaign, paper presentations, the Honourable Minister’s official working visit to the Shehu of Borno, National Park Service and National College of Forestry and Resources Management all in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Ibrahim Haruna
Director of Information and Public Relations.
