I was privileged to attend the 2-day Interactive Session on Government–Citizens Engagement, themed, “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government–Citizen Engagement for National Unity,” organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.
This platform provided an opportunity to highlight the significant strides made by the Federal Government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in advancing environmental protection and food security across the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory since May 2023.
Afforestation Initiatives
Our commitment to combating desertification and enhancing green cover has led to the planting of 5.5 million trees through the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) program.
The Forest Research Institute of Nigeria is preparing 10 million drought-resistant seedlings for planting in 2025.
Additionally, the FG has raised 5 million Date Palm and 3.85 million Neem seedlings for the 11 frontline states to boost local incomes and curb desertification.
We have also extended shelterbelts by 175km across seven frontline states to halt the encroachment of the Sahara Desert.
Land Restoration Efforts
To date, we have restored 278,235 hectares of degraded land across the 19 northern states and the FCT. In pursuit of sustainable alternatives, we are promoting bamboo as a viable wood substitute. The establishment of a Bamboo Factory in Kogi State has created over 20,000 jobs, fostering a robust bamboo and rattan economy.
Forest Security and Biodiversity Conservation
To enhance eco-tourism, create employment, and protect biodiversity, the Federal Government has taken over three National Parks—Kampe, Marhai, and Hadejia Wetlands—while four additional parks in Kano, Plateau, Niger, and Katsina are set for handover. These efforts strengthen our resolve to safeguard our natural heritage.
Flood and Erosion Control
The Federal Government has implemented 198 projects to address flooding and erosion, including the Jibia River Bank Protection (1,812 hectares), Hadejia River desilting (182,780 hectares), and Nguru Wetland Rehabilitation (29,622 hectares). Our flood alert system now covers 258 communities with 90% accuracy, significantly reducing loss of life and property.
Livelihood Support
Through agricultural value chain initiatives, ₦12 billion has been disbursed to 9,648 individuals across 16 northern states. We have also distributed tractors, fertilizers, and milling machines to boost agricultural productivity and support food security.
Circular Economy Development
The unveiling of the Circular Economy Roadmap is set to create over 2 million jobs. Notably, I commissioned a $2.9 million Plastic Polyethylene Facility in Iddu, Abuja, which has engaged 550,000 waste pickers, predominantly women, earning over ₦75,000 monthly in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara.
Climate Action
Following the launch of the National Clean Cooking Policy, we are working to provide clean cookstoves to 20 million households in northern Nigeria, supported by a ₦50 billion Green Bond to advance this and other green objectives.
Looking Ahead
The Federal Government is committed to establishing a National Flood Insurance Policy, increasing the National Sovereign Green Bond to ₦250 billion, and accelerating land reclamation through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP-EIB), which recently secured €175 million. My Ministry is also making significant progress in establishing Forest Rangers to secure our forests and eliminate criminal activities.
I thank the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for this platform and reaffirm our commitment to fostering meaningful government–citizen engagement for a greener, more prosperous Nigeria.
Signed
Balarabe Abbas Lawal
Minister of Environment
