…Set to disburse $200m European Investment Bank fund to address critical land degradation/erosion
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, on Wednesday expressed excitement over the disbursement of N12 billion as part of the Ministry’s Community Revolving Fund (CRF) Programme to 345 communities comprising across 15 states across the nation.
According to him, as at 22nd March 2025, 9,648 beneficiaries made up of 5,397 men and 4,251 women have utilized these funds to enhance both on-farm and off-farm activities within the agricultural value chain.
He added that Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes project (ACReSAL) has supported the National Park Service with 11 patrol vehicles to improve and enhance forest management, also constructed 6 ranger posts across National Parks, providing accommodation for rangers and strengthening their ability to safeguard forest assets a total of 1,003,000 individuals have directly benefitted from the project, with women accounting for 49.9%. Additionally, over 13 million indirect beneficiaries have been recorded by the project, he said.
According to him, the federal government through the Ministry and other stakeholders have secured $200 million funding through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Project under European Investment Bank (NEWMAP-EIB) to address critical land degradation and erosion from 2025 to 2029.
The Minister made the disclosure at the Ministry’s scorecard and achievements since assumption of office organized by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, to provide overview of the key achievements of the Ministry and its agencies under his leadership from inception of President Bola Tinubu administration.
He added that ACReSAL has procured and distributed 245 tractors and 1,450 hand power tillers to 56,873 farmers across the participating states, boosting agricultural productivity, reducing manual labor, increasing efficiency, and enhancing soil fertility.
Distribution of drought-resistant seedlings, organic fertilizers, and other farm inputs such as solar irrigation pumps, knapsack sprayers, and harvesting crates to farmer groups and Community Interest Groups (CIGs) in Sokoto, Benue, Plateau, Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Adamawa and FCT A total of 56,873 farmers (33,489 Men and 23,384 Women) have benefited.
ACReSAL and Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), he said have signed a historic agreement to conduct Nigeria’s largest agricultural survey under 50×2030 initiative. The aim, he said is to bridge critical agricultural data gaps in Nigeria.
The Minister’s briefing highlights the strategic initiatives undertaken by the Ministry, challenges encountered and the ways forward in achieving a greener and more sustainable future for our country in line with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Tinubu.
He said: “A multi-sectoral initiative by the Federal funded by the EIB, was designed to address severe land degradation and erosion challenges across the country, promoting environmental sustainability, sustainable development and improved livelihoods in affected areas.
“The project is expected to become disbursement effective in 2025 and conclude in 2029 to be implemented over a 5year duration.”
Through a more accurate Flood Early Warning alerts will be obtained and disseminated by the department across all geographical zones in the country;
According to him, the Ministry executed 138 flood related and major gully erosion control projects across all geographical zones in the country to protect vulnerable communities from environmental disasters through a more accurate Flood Early Warning alerts will be obtained and disseminated by the department across all geographical zones in the country.
He said: “The Ministry has put in place strategies to tackle unsustainable agricultural practices, excessive logging and infrastructure deficit significantly reducing the rate of deforestation, forest degradation and adverse climate conditions. Its worthy of note that achievements have been recorded with regards to restoration of forest in Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the Department of Forestry is responsible for the management, conservation and sustainable use of the country’s forest resources, adding that its primary mandate includes policy formulation, afforestation programs, forest conservation and ensuring the sustainable use of forest resources to support environmental and socio-economic development.
“Planting of over 4 million trees in collaboration with NAGGW and ACReSAL across the country to combat deforestation and desertification;
“Massive afforestation programs being carried out in Bagga Forest Reserve, Tila, Arewa LGA of Kebbi State as well as, Agwada Kokona LGA of Nasarawa State and Karara, Lokoja LGA, Kogi State by the Ministry;
“The Ministry has commenced implementation of a Bamboo development factory in Kogi State to promote Bamboo and Rattan Economy in Nigeria in line with the diversification drive of the Renewed Hope Administration. Feasibility studies for the development of Seven more Bamboo factories are ongoing in Ogun, Cross Rivers, Kaduna, Edo, Benue, Ekiti and Taraba States;
“The Department of Forestry had recently received and handed over eleven (11) 20-feet containers of logs (semi-processed wood) feet that were intercepted and confiscated by the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Launched the Agroforestry Projects to integrate agriculture into forests across the nation. Other initiatives of the Ministry include the Trans-African initiative to combat desertification in Nigeria’s northern region in collaboration with NAGGW; National Tree Planting Campaign which encourages afforestation efforts nationwide and Forest Carbon Projects Initiatives supporting carbon trading through afforestation and reforestation achieved under the REDD+ programme.
On rapprochement with Cameroon, he said the Ministry has signed an agreement with the Republic of Cameroon on Cooperation Framework Agreement on Trans-Boundary Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forestry and Wildlife Resources on 19th April 2024.
According to him, this foster collaborations between both countries in protecting shared ecosystems, including forests, wildlife and water bodies, adding that it will ensure the coordinated management of trans-boundary protected areas, such as Cross River National Park (Nigeria) and Korup National Park (Cameroon), which are biodiversity hotspots, collaboration with Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Barr Association (NBA) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) UNODC with a view to enhancing enforcement of environmental laws initiated efforts to enhance forest inventory and records for effective forest resources management in line with global best practices.
He explained that the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) is responsible for implementing afforestation, reforestation and sustainable land management projects in the 11 frontline Northern states in the Sahel region affected by the encroachment of Sahara.
“The initiatives are community-driven, focusing on land rehabilitation, natural resources conservation, poverty alleviation, food security enhancement, employment generation and livelihood improvement. The goal is to improve the resilience of affected communities to climate change and climate variability in the dry lands of Nigeria.
The other major achievements of the agency include raising of 3,850,000 Neem seedlings for the establishment of Plant Nurseries in the 11 NAGGW frontline states to provide medicinal raw materials.
Establishment of 175km shelterbelt in Borno, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina and Jigawa States. Conducted vocational trainings and empowerment programs for youth and women in the 11 frontline states in the country.
Raised 5 million seedlings of Phoenix dactylifera (Date Palm) for planting across the NAGGW 11 frontline States in 2025 planting season for Value Chain development due to its potential in income generation.
Established 5 skill acquisition centres in Bauchi, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina and Yobe State where soap and perfume making are being taught as well as animal rearing, distributed 5253 mini solar systems in various communities across the 11 frontline states.
