The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has reaffirmed its commitment to curb land degradation and desertification in Nigeria.
Alhaji Sale Abubakar, Director-General of the agency, gave the assurance at the ongoing 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, said a statement on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
The Nigerian delegation at the conference is led by Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Minister of Environment.
Abubakar said the convention marked the beginning of critical discussions on combating desertification, promoting sustainable land use and building resilience against droughts that aligned closely with the agency’s mission.
“The conference availed the agency the opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s successes under the Great Green Wall initiative, including the restoration of degraded lands, reforestation efforts, and community empowerment programmes.
“NAGGW is proud to contribute to these efforts and share our experiences in sustainable land management and climate adaptation.
“The convention also served as an opportunity for NAGGW to showcase its role in fostering regional and international partnerships,” Abubakar said.
He said the NAGGW’s delegation participated in key discussions on enhancing global and national policy instruments for proactive drought management.
“The agency’s expertise in implementing early warning systems, sustainable land use practices, and community-driven projects positioned Nigeria as a leader in this critical area.
“With a clear vision for building resilient ecosystems and communities, NAGGW’s participation at COP16 signals Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to combating desertification and promoting sustainable development,” said the D-G.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to achieving large-scale restoration goals, adding that restoring land was not just an environmental necessity but an economic opportunity.
According to him, investment in land unlocks the potential in agriculture, biodiversity, and resilient communities.
Abubakar, therefore, called for stronger international partnerships to bridge the financing gap, emphasising that climate resilience requires urgent and ambitious funding commitments.
He highlighted how desertification and drought had pushed vulnerable populations to abandon their ancestral homes, leading to a rise in migration and social instability.
He presented Nigeria’s strategic framework under the Great Green Wall initiative, which integrates land restoration with economic empowerment to curb forced migration and improve security.
The NAGGW boss said the agency empowered thousands of youths and women through skills training in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, offering them viable economic alternatives to migration.
He shared success stories of communities in northern Nigeria that had transitioned from despair to prosperity due to these initiatives.
Abubakar also addressed security concerns linked to resource scarcity, which had often fuelled conflicts in fragile regions.
He said during the convention the agency participated in the “Middle East Greening Initiative,” where the agency shared its experience with large-scale greening efforts.
He said NAGGW also hosted a side event on integrating women and youth into land restoration efforts, highlighting grassroots success stories from rural Nigeria.
“The agency’s commitment to inclusive development inspired many stakeholders, positioning NAGGW as a leader in community-driven solutions for land restoration,” Abubakar said.
By Salisu Sani-Idris
