BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Federal Government has re-echoed the need for States to adopt ongoing national initiatives by the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, and renewable energy and clean cooking policies, as the easiest means to crush the crisis triggered by climate change.
This formed part of the discuss at the just concluded 18th National Council on Environment (NCE) in Katsina State with the theme: "Tackling the Triple Planetary Crisis of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution for Sustainable Development in Nigeria."
The NAGGW led by the Director General/CEO, Saleh Abubakar devotes to combating desertification and land degradation in the 11 frontline States through massive tree planting, meant to restore the ecosystems, boost food security, and create green jobs.
The frontline states, with a projected population of over 54 million and 394, 000 landmass, cut across the Northeast and Northwest region of Nigeria.
Improved Livelihoods
Abubakar packaged the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiatives to involve local communities and traditional rulers for sustainable land management, climate resilience and improved livelihoods.
The 11 states of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno are worst hit by desertification.
Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mallam Farouk Lawal Jobe reaffirmed the state’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
He highlighted the governor’s early approval of funding and sustained support that ensured the successful hosting of the council, describing the NCE as a vital platform for policy harmonisation, collaboration, and coordinated action in addressing pressing environmental challenges.
Multi-sectoral Response
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal warned that rising temperatures, desertification, flooding, pollution, and ecosystem degradation are already undermining livelihoods across the country, stressing that the crises are deeply interlinked and required an integrated, science-driven, and multi-sectoral response.
He commended Katsina state for its exemplary leadership in climate governance, recognising its second position in the 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking.
The minister highlighted the state’s Green Economy Roadmap, which prioritises renewable energy, dryland agriculture, eco-tourism, waste-to-energy solutions, and climate-smart development, alongside plans to establish a Green Investment Fund and implement a 2025–2030 Climate Action Plan.
He described the theme as timely and imperative, just as he urged other states to replicate Katsina’s approach in transforming challenges such as desertification and soil degradation into opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
Lawal called for innovative financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, green bonds, climate funds, and carbon markets, while encouraging stronger private-sector engagement.
He identified corporate actors such as the Dangote Group and Nigeria Bottling Company as potential partners in environmental restoration and sustainability efforts.
Lawal resolved to confront the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution collectively known as the triple planetary crisis and recognised as critical to Nigeria’s sustainable development, economic resilience, and environmental security.
The event attracted Commissioners in charge of environmental issues from the 36 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory, alongside development partners, academia, private-sector stakeholders, and civil society organisations.
Participants deliberated on memoranda, reviewed technical submissions, and adopted resolutions expected to guide future environmental policies and interventions nationwide.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Press, NAGGW, Amina Ahmed Garba on Thursday in Abuja.
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