The Federal Government on Tuesday validated an updated National Policy to tackle desertification, land degradation, and drought in Nigeria.
Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, made this known at a workshop on the “Review of the National Policy on Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought.” He was represented at the event by Mr. Mahmud Kambari, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.
Lawal said the validated policy would effectively address desertification, land degradation, and drought while enhancing environmental sustainability across the country.
“This occasion represents a vital milestone in our efforts to tackle desertification, land degradation, and drought in Nigeria. These are not abstract environmental concepts—they affect millions of Nigerians, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions,” he said.
The minister explained that the workshop aimed not merely to endorse the policy but to foster collective ownership, identify gaps, and refine strategies so the final document would be practical, inclusive, and capable of delivering measurable results.
“It must reflect realities at national, state, and local levels and recognize the diverse ecological zones and unique challenges across the country. These issues threaten agricultural productivity, water availability, food security, biodiversity, and socio-economic stability.
“For farming and pastoral communities, drought leads to failed harvests, loss of livestock, increased poverty, and in some cases, displacement. Desertification steadily reduces land productivity, weakens ecosystems, and strains already scarce natural resources,” Lawal added.
He expressed optimism that the updated policy could serve as a foundation for integrated, long-term solutions benefiting both people and the environment.
“The draft National Drought and Desertification Policy before us today is the outcome of a review process that began on July 2, 2025, with an inception workshop involving stakeholders from all 36 states and the FCT.
“Government will provide leadership for its implementation, but success will require strong partnerships with the private sector, civil society, research institutions, and local communities,” he said.
Kambari, represented by Mrs. Regina Nwaneri, Director of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Management in the Ministry, noted that while the previous policy was useful at the time of its development, it must now respond to new realities, emerging risks, and evolving national and international commitments.
“This prompted a comprehensive review of the National Drought and Desertification Policy, which is long overdue. The updated policy emphasizes early warning systems, preparedness, resilience building, and coordinated institutional action,” he said.
Mr. Abdulhameed Umar, National Project Coordinator for Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), represented by Musa Shuaibu, Expert Advisor for Landscape Restoration and Wetland Management, commended the policy validation and expressed optimism that land degradation, desertification, and drought would be effectively addressed.
Mr. Precious Agbesor, FAO representative, said the validation represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to promote sustainable land management, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration.
“The policy aligns strongly with Nigeria’s commitments under global and regional frameworks, including the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 13, and 15.
“Inclusiveness is critical, as successful implementation will depend on shared ownership and coordinated action across sectors and levels,” he said.
Nwaneri added that evolving climate challenges, including desertification, sand and dust storms, and drought, made updating the policy essential.
“The validation workshop, supported by ACReSAL and other partners, aims to produce an inclusive, realistic, and effective framework to tackle climate challenges at both local and national levels,” she said.
Mrs. Rose Okonkwo, Executive Director of Programme Management at the NNPC Foundation Limited, pledged continued commitment to environmental initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change.
