Strengthening Coordination for Effective ACReSAL Implementation: Environment Minister Leads ACReSAL RETREAT IN LAGOS

In an effort towards enhancing Nigeria’s environmental sustainability and successful ACReSAL Project implementation, the Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who also serves as the Chairman of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Steering Committee, led the project-wide retreat held in Lagos, aimed at reinforcing the collaborative efforts between Federal and State Governments Steering and Technical Committees.

Themed “Strengthening Coordination and Advancing Effective ACReSAL Implementation” The Role of Steering and Technical Committees in the Implementation of the ACReSAL Projects,” the retreat brought together key stakeholders to review the successes and impacts of the ACReSAL initiatives across Nigeria and charts ways for its sustainability.

Minister Lawal emphasized the importance of this gathering, stating that it serves as a platform to evaluate progress and strategize on future actions to combat land degradation and desertification.

The Minister expressed gratitude for the support of development partners, particularly the World Bank, whose technical and financial assistance has been instrumental in propelling the ACReSAL project forward. This collaboration is aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which emphasizes sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Minister Lawal emphasized that the ACReSAL initiative directly addresses the severe impacts of climate change, particularly desert encroachment and land degradation prevalent in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He highlighted a potential expansion of the project’s scope, stating, “We believe that rainwater harvesting is a significant area where ACReSAL could expand its efforts by promoting all-season farming, reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture and consistent water availability to benefit the restoration of forests,” he told journalists on the sideline of the event.

The Minister acknowledged ACReSAL’s existing successes in enhancing food security and restoring degraded land. However, he further suggested that a stronger focus on rainwater harvesting could transform the challenge of devastating floods into a valuable resource for both agriculture and environmental sustainability.

Also speaking at the retreat, Senator Dr. Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Security, lauded the significant progress made by the ACReSAL Project in promoting sustainable agriculture and food security in Northern Nigeria.

“Through collective efforts, we have empowered communities to adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices, revitalized degraded lands, and strengthened food systems in 19 states and the FCT,” he affirmed.

Senator Abdullahi underscored the alignment of the ACReSAL initiative with the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes agricultural transformation and food security as crucial elements of national development. “By tackling land degradation and climate challenges, we are not only securing livelihoods but also building a foundation for a more prosperous and resilient Nigeria,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, Task Team Leader for ACReSAL and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank conveyed her positive assessment of the ACReSAL Project, stating that its performance in the initial two years has been satisfactory, with tangible benefits already being felt across participating states.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Agene highlighted the project’s success in healing the land using the Halfmoon regenerative agriculture approach in Adamawa State, mitigating flooding challenges in several states, including Katsina and Kaduna. She emphasized that ACReSAL’s interventions have demonstrably prevented the tragic loss of lives previously experienced due to severe flooding in these regions.

“Today we can say, after two years, the ship has sailed that we have delivered almost 200,000 degraded landscapes out of 1 million Project target, Dr. Agene stated.

ACReSAL is a multi-faceted interventionist initiative championed by the Federal Government, under the leadership of the Ministers of Environment, Agriculture, and Water Resources, and with the active participation of the 19 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The project components encompasses dryland management, community climate resilience, institutional strengthening and project management.

The retreat offered a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing coordination, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the sustainability of ACReSAL project gains and resources.