Kaduna State Government has announced a bold initiative to plant 10 million trees in an effort to combat desertification and restore degraded land. Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe revealed this plan during the 2024 World Environment Day event at Kaduna State University, emphasizing the ongoing threat of desert encroachment despite progress in Nigeria’s Great Green Wall project.
Dr. Balarabe highlighted the urgency of the situation, explaining that desertification continues to advance into Kaduna State, prompting the launch of the Kaduna Great Green Wall project. This ambitious effort aims to plant millions of trees across frontline Local Government Areas (LGAs) to halt further desert spread. The state has also developed a Climate Change Policy, awaiting council approval, to guide these efforts.
She warned that desertification, land degradation, and drought pose serious threats to both people and the planet, leading to poverty, poor health, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, forced migration, and reduced climate resilience. Fertile land is crucial for sustainable development, and its degradation exacerbates climate change.
Balarabe noted that under President Bola Ahmad Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is committed to reducing emissions by 47% by 2030. In Kaduna, the World Bank-supported ACReSAL project aims to reclaim 20,000 hectares of degraded land, while the Eco Citizen Kaduna initiative promotes sustainable development and climate-smart communities through green investments. She urged public institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations to support these vital government initiatives.
