Nigeria Launches Great Green Wall Day, Tree Planting Initiative

On Thursday, the Federal Government of Nigeria officially launched the Great Green Wall Day and initiated a tree planting exercise for 2026, aimed at combating desertification and restoring degraded landscapes. The event took place at the headquarters of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) in Kano.

Minister of Environment Balarab Abba Lawal emphasized the importance of healthy ecosystems for food security and economic growth, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. The initiative aims to address the growing threats of desertification and dust storms, particularly in northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region.

The NAGGW has raised 48 million indigenous and exotic tree seedlings and established thousands of hectares of shelterbelts and woodlots. Lawal announced the distribution of 10.8 million drought-resistant seedlings and 869,089 date palm seedlings to farmers, directly benefiting 210,000 Nigerians, especially women and youth.

The relocation of NAGGW's headquarters to Kano was described as a landmark decision to enhance environmental restoration efforts.