………Urges Communities to Take Ownership.
The Director-General/CEO of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Saleh Abubakar, MFR, has commenced a monitoring exercise of the Agency’s 2026 tree-planting activities in Kano and Jigawa States, reaffirming NAGGW’s commitment to ensuring the effective implementation and sustainability of its restoration interventions.
The monitoring exercise began in Kano State with a visit to the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, where NAGGW provided 3,000 tree seedlings. The Director-General, led by the Provost and officials of the institution, inspected plantations established in 2024 and 2025 planting seasons to assess seedling survival and the impact of the interventions.
Abubakar reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to providing continuous technical support to institutions and communities benefiting from its programmes. He also urged the College to strengthen environmental awareness and tree-planting advocacy among staff and students.
He noted that exposing young people to tree planting and environmental conservation would help build a culture of environmental responsibility and ensure that restoration efforts are sustained for future generations.
The Provost, Dr. Bashir Sabo Abubakar, commended NAGGW for its commitment to environmental restoration and its hands-on approach to monitoring interventions. He assured the Agency of the institution’s continued commitment to protecting and nurturing the planted trees.
The monitoring team proceeded to Jigawa State, where the Director-General and management staff inspected planting sites in Gumel and Kaugama Local Government Areas. More than 20,000 seedlings comprising Neem, Gum Arabic and Cactus are being planted across the monitored locations as part of the 2026 planting season.
The DG commended the host communities for their active participation, particularly their efforts to protect and nurture the seedlings. He stressed that community ownership remains critical to the success and sustainability of the Great Green Wall initiative.
Highlighting the economic value of Gum Arabic, Abubakar said NAGGW is deliberately promoting its cultivation in ecologically suitable areas to support environmental restoration while creating sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.
He urged beneficiaries to regard the planted trees as long-term investments and to take full responsibility for their protection, maintenance and survival until maturity.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Malam Abdullahi Magaji, a community leader, appreciated NAGGW for the intervention, describing the trees as investments that would provide environmental, economic and social benefits to present and future generations.
The monitoring exercise underscores NAGGW’s commitment to combating desertification, restoring degraded landscapes, strengthening community resilience and promoting sustainable livelihoods across Nigeria’s Great Green Wall frontline states.
Amina Ahmed Garba
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
11th September, 2026
