The Federal Ministry of Environment has pledged its commitment to ecological restoration and climate resilience across the 19 northern states of Nigeria through strong policies and strategic interventions.
The National Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, Abdulhamid Umar, reiterated the government’s commitment at a stakeholder engagement meeting in Sokoto on Monday.
He emphasised the Federal Government’s determination to address environmental degradation and climate change-related challenges in the region.
Umar explained that ACReSAL is a six-year, World Bank-assisted project dedicated to restoring degraded landscapes, improving environmental sustainability, and enhancing agricultural productivity across Northern Nigeria.
He noted that the region faces several challenges, including high poverty rates, low literacy levels, environmental fragility, resource degradation, weak institutional capacity, poor agricultural productivity, and increasing climate risks such as desertification and water scarcity.
Addressing these pressing issues, he stressed, requires a multi-sectoral approach.
“The Federal Ministry of Environment is leading the implementation of the project in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Water Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development.
“ACReSAL’s multi-institutional framework integrates interventions in environmental restoration, water management, and sustainable agriculture, ensuring a holistic approach to landscape resilience,” Umar said.
He further highlighted that the project is designed to combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and protect ecosystems crucial for agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
“Additionally, it seeks to address water scarcity for agricultural purposes and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on rural farmers’ livelihoods.
By promoting agro-climatic resilience in semi-arid landscapes, ACReSAL aims to increase the adoption of sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds, ultimately enhancing food security and economic opportunities in the region,” he added.
In his remarks, Sokoto State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Ibrahim Umar, urged participants to leverage the engagement to drive positive change in their communities.
He reiterated that ACReSAL covers all 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Delivering the keynote address, Sokoto State Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Nura Tangaza, commended the federal government’s commitment to environmental restoration and assured that Sokoto State remains dedicated to supporting the project to achieve its objectives.
The engagement drew participants from Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger states, including traditional rulers, community leaders, and key stakeholders from affected areas.
As discussions continue, stakeholders expressed optimism that ACReSAL’s interventions will significantly enhance environmental sustainability, food production, and climate adaptation efforts across Northern Nigeria.