News Desk
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has sought the support of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, in combating desertification, restoring degraded land and actualise its 50 million date palm project in 11 frontline states of northern Nigeria.
Director General/CEO of NAGGW, Saleh Abubakar, MFR, made the request when he paid a courtesy call on the SGF in his office in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Mr. Abubakar said that the agency, during a ceremony to mark its 10th anniversary in August 2025, had launched an ambitious 50 million date palm project in its determination to curb dessert encroachment in the affected states in the country.
According to Saleh, the agency has, so far, distributed no fewer than five million date palm in the 11 frontline states, and is targeting to upscale it to 50 million by 2030.
“Your Excellency, I’m here to solicit your support in combating desertification, land degradation and our 50 million date palm initiative for economic empowerment.
“As you know, sir, the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) was established in 2015, to address land degradation, desertification, boost food security and support communities to adapt to climate change in Sokoto, Kebbi, Kastina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa.
“The NAGGW serves as the Nigerian focal point for the actualisation of the vision of the African Union’s Great Green Wall of the Sahara and the Sahel project.
“The mission of the NAGGW is to halt and reverse land degradation, prevent depletion of biological diversity, ensure that ecosystems are resilient to climate change, and continue to provide essential services that would contribute to human welfare and poverty eradication,” he stated.
He said he assumed office over a year ago, the agency has intensified efforts and deepen collaboration with critical stakeholders in the 11 frontline states to halt desertification and ensure that people in the affected states own the projects.
“We need your improved support to enable the agency get more funding to finance the 50 million date palm project and other initiatives that are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” Abubakar further noted.
Responding, the SGF, Senator Akume, who acknowledged the efforts of the agency in combating the negative effects of climate change in the 11 frontline states, assured the NAGGW DG of the continued support of the Federal Government in ensuring that the agency delivers its mandate.
