The Federal Government has launched the 2026 tree planting campaign in Kano and also inaugurated the National Steering Committee of the Sustainable Agricultural Restoration and Growth for Green Wall Areas (SURAGGWA).
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, performed the inauguration on July 9th, marking the Great Green Wall Day at the headquarters of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW).
Lawal said the initiative shows Nigeria’s commitment to restoring degraded land and fighting desertification, he added that it will help build climate‑resilient communities.
He stressed that environmental sustainability is central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Healthy ecosystems, he noted, are vital for food security, economic growth, and citizens’ well‑being.
This year’s theme, “The Green Shield: Restoring Landscapes to Silence the Sand and Dust Storms,” highlights the urgent need to address desertification in Northern Nigeria and the Sahel.
Since its creation, NAGGW has raised more than 48 million seedlings. It has distributed drought‑resistant species, promoted agroforestry, and expanded clean energy access through solar systems and efficient cookstoves.
Over 210,000 Nigerians, especially women and youths, have joined restoration activities. More than 1,300 forest guards have been trained to protect the environment.
Development partners, including the FAO, pledged continued support for the SURAGGWA Project. The initiative, funded by the Green Climate Fund, will promote biodiversity, climate adaptation, and improved livelihoods.
In Kaduna, the Centre for Water and Environment Development (CWED) planted 2,000 seedlings in three communities. The project, tagged “Plant a Tree, Protect the Future,” aims to combat erosion and raise awareness of conservation.
Residents were urged to nurture the trees. Traditional leaders promised to mobilize communities to ensure the seedlings survive and strengthen local resilience.
