NAGGW targets 50m date palm project to combat desertification by 2030

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has appealed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, for support in combating desertification, restoring degraded land, and implementing its ambitious 50-million-date-palm project across 11 frontline states in northern Nigeria.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the SGF in Abuja, Director General/CEO of NAGGW, Saleh Abubakar, said the agency launched the initiative during its 10th-anniversary ceremony in August 2025. The project aims to curb desert encroachment and restore degraded lands in the affected states.

According to Abubakar, NAGGW has so far distributed over five million date palms across the 11 frontline states and aims to scale this up to 50 million by 2030.

“The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) was established in 2015 to address land degradation and desertification, boost food security, and help communities adapt to climate change in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa,” he said.

He added that NAGGW serves as Nigeria’s focal point for the African Union’s Great Green Wall of the Sahara and Sahel project. Its mission is to halt and reverse land degradation, protect biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change, and provide essential services to support human welfare and poverty eradication.

Abubakar noted that since assuming office over a year ago, the agency has intensified efforts and deepened collaboration with stakeholders in the 11 frontline states to ensure local ownership of the projects.

“We need enhanced support to secure additional funding for the 50 million date palm project and other initiatives aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

Responding, Senator Akume commended NAGGW’s efforts and assured the agency of the Federal Government’s continued support in delivering its mandate.

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