The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has raised over 500,000 seedlings of various tree species for planting across Jigawa State in a quest to combat environmental degradation. The director-general of the agency, Alhaji Sale Abubakar, disclosed this to newsmen during his one-day field visit to some of their project sites in Jigawa State.
He said Jigawa is among the northern states implementing the Great Green Wall project, in line with President Bola Ahmad Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for environmental protection.
The DG revealed that the seedlings raised for the 2026 season will be used at their project sites and also distributed to communities, as well as private and public institutions, for onward planting.
Sale noted that the project also emphasises raising and planting traditional trees for ecological conservation.
“In this 2026 season, we are targeting 50 hectares for refilling across our project sites, 50 hectares at new plantation fields, and also a 10 km shelter belt site.”
“I am very satisfied with the progress I have seen at the sites, such as Maigari and Yarda Kangiwa sites. It is very encouraging and promising in our determination to fight against desertification, erosion, global warming, and other related environmental degradation,” the DG stated
Speaking to newsmen, the NAGGW field officer for Jigawa State, Mr Kabiru Abubakar, said the project has multiple targets, including planting economic trees that produce food, trees that produce raw materials such as gum arabic, trees for woodlots, and many traditional trees for conservation.
“So, besides tackling desertification, erosion, and environmental degradation, the project also targets enhancing community nutrition and the provision of tree-related items in a guided method.”
“We are also involving the community in protecting the plantation, as well as engaging the community on how to use environmentally friendly sources of power, and all other activities that will guarantee sustainable environmental protection,” the field officer stated.
In his comment during the visit, the Bulama of Yarda Kangiwa community, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu, thanked the federal government for the intervention, which has already started making a difference in the area, with the provision of shades, roofing woods, among others, and promised to continue supporting the project in achieving the desired goals.
