SEO Riders:
– Government reports desertification and land degradation impacting 40M Nigerians and 43% of landmass.
– Over 463,000 hectares of forest lost in past decade amid rapid soil erosion and deforestation.
– Experts warn reduced food security, increased conflict, and urgent need to scale land restoration efforts.
At a national dialogue in Abuja commemorating World Desertification and Drought Day, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, revealed that desertification and land degradation now affect around 40 million Nigerians, spanning approximately 43% of the country’s landmass—nearly 923,000 km². The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mahmud Kambari, highlighted the global scope of the crisis, citing the loss of up to 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil annually and emphasizing the severe threat to food production and livelihoods. Minister Lawal also noted that Nigeria has lost over 463,360 hectares of forestland in the past ten years alone, largely driven by deforestation and unsustainable land use practices.
Experts warn the consequences extend beyond environmental damage: land degradation is intensifying food insecurity, triggering internal displacement, and driving conflicts over scarce resources—especially in northern states. Policy analysts call for scaling up initiatives like the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) and expanding the Great Green Wall programme, as Nigeria seeks to reverse loss and restore millions of hectares. The dialogue underscored that meeting national development targets hinges on bold investment in sustainable land management, reforestation, and climate-resilient agricultural systems.
