World Bank Launches Critical High-Level Pre-Mid Term Review Mission for Nigeria’s ACReSAL Project

Mission Kicks Off Dec 1 to Assess Progress in Building Agro‑Climatic Resilience Across Northern Nigeria

ABUJA, NIGERIA – December 1, 2025 – The World Bank has officially commenced a critical hybrid Pre‑Mid Term Review (MTR) Mission for the Nigeria: Agro‑Climatic Resilience in Semi‑Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project. The high‑level mission, running from December 1 to December 19, 2025, will conduct an intensive two‑week assessment to evaluate project success, define future strategies, and ensure continued momentum toward achieving its development objectives.

This engagement underscores the significant progress the ACReSAL Project has recorded across its implementation over the past two years in combating desertification, improving land management, and strengthening climate resilience.

The mission is co‑led by the World Bank’s Task Team Leaders: Iganya Joy Agene(Senior Environmental Specialist), Manivel Sene (Senior Agriculture Economist), Emmanuel Chinedu Umolu (Senior Water Resources Management Specialist) and the National Project Coordinator, ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar.

The mission team will engage with stakeholders from the Federal Ministries of Environment; Water Resources and Sanitation; and Agriculture and Food Security. The review will include high‑level in‑person meetings in Abuja and essential field visits to Plateau State.

The Pre‑MTR Mission strategic objectives are structured around three strategic pillars—Assessment, Planning, and Assurance – to set a clear path for the full Mid‑Term Review.

The first Objective is deepening Project Assessment & Impact in Relation to the Project Development Objective (PDO).

The mission focuses on a thorough, in‑depth evaluation of how well the project is delivering on its core development goal. It will rigorously measure progress against the PDO indicators—particularly the two flagship outcomes: increasing sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in northern Nigeria and strengthening of the country’s climate‑resilient enabling environment. By benchmarking results, identifying gaps, and spotlighting impact, the assessment creates a clear, evidence‑based picture of achievements and risks ahead of the Mid‑Term Review.

The second objective is Strategic Planning for MTR Readiness.

The team will define and establish clear, measurable performance metrics for each participating state, which is a critical step for monitoring progress and setting the strategic priorities for activity selection during the main MTR.

Concurrently, the mission will provide clear direction on the necessary sensitization requirements for all stakeholders to ensure maximum readiness and buy‑in across all levels of government ahead of the MTR.

Finally, the mission focuses on Operational Assurance and Government Engagement.

This involves a thorough review of the project’s adherence to the World Bank’s Financial Management, Procurement, and Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) guidelines.

To facilitate a clear overview, the team will deepen engagement with government partners at Federal and State levels to begin the process of developing a single, comprehensive progress report covering all achievements from project inception to date.