Sokoto State launches environmental initiative to combat desertification

Sokoto State is addressing severe environmental threats in northern Nigeria, including desertification, deforestation, erosion, and flooding. These issues, compounded by climate change and erratic rainfall, threaten the livelihoods of the state’s predominantly agrarian population by degrading arable farmland and water resources.

In response, Governor Ahmed Aliyu has launched an environmental agenda aimed at building resilience against climate variability. A key component of this initiative is a massive reforestation campaign, which includes the planting of 500,000 seedlings at the Gidan Man Ada Housing Estate. The administration aims to distribute these seedlings across the state’s 23 local government areas.

The broader strategy extends beyond tree planting to include forest protection, combating indiscriminate tree felling, improving waste management and recycling, and implementing erosion and flood control measures.