The Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to environmental protection, food security, and climate resilience at a two-day interactive session held at the historic Arewa House, Kaduna.
The event, themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government–Citizen Engagement for National Unity,” was organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation and served as a critical forum for showcasing progress in key development areas across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Delivering a detailed report on government initiatives, Minister Abbas revealed that 5.5 million trees have been planted under the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) and Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) program. Additionally, 10 million drought-resistant seedlings are being prepared for 2025 planting through the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria.
“We have extended shelterbelts by 175km across seven frontline states, restored over 278,000 hectares of degraded land, and promoted bamboo as a sustainable alternative, including the establishment of a bamboo factory in Kogi that created 20,000 jobs,” the Minister said.
In a major conservation effort, the Federal Government has taken over three national parks—Kampe, Marhai, and Hadejia Wetlands—with four more in Kano, Plateau, Niger, and Katsina slated for handover. These efforts aim to boost eco-tourism, create employment, and preserve biodiversity.
The Minister also disclosed significant investments in flood and erosion control, including 198 projects, such as the Jibia River Bank Protection and the desilting of the Hadejia River. The government’s early warning flood alert system, now active in 258 communities, has achieved 90% accuracy in predictions, reducing disaster-related losses.
On agricultural support, ₦12 billion has been disbursed to nearly 10,000 beneficiaries across 16 states, with equipment like tractors, fertilizers, and milling machines distributed to enhance food production and security.
In line with its circular economy roadmap, the Ministry commissioned a $2.9 million polyethylene recycling plant in Iddu, Abuja, employing over 550,000 waste pickers, mostly women, across Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara, with average monthly earnings exceeding ₦75,000.
For climate mitigation, Minister Abbas emphasized the rollout of clean cookstoves for 20 million households, backed by a ₦50 billion Green Bond, and announced plans to increase the National Sovereign Green Bond to ₦250 billion. He also noted the recent €175 million funding secured for NEWMAP-EIB to accelerate land reclamation and erosion control.
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to establishing a National Flood Insurance Policy and deploying Forest Rangers to combat deforestation and forest-related criminality.
“I thank the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for this platform and reiterate our resolve to engage citizens meaningfully for a greener, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria,” he stated.
The interactive session brought together policymakers, civil society, traditional leaders, and citizens from across Northern Nigeria, underscoring the importance of transparency and partnership in delivering electoral promises.
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