In a proactive step towards fulfilling its climate commitments, the Borno State Government today launched a large-scale tree planting initiative targeting the cultivation of 5.35 million seedlings before the end of 2025.
The campaign, flagged off at the Trailer Park near Borno State University, Maiduguri, is being spearheaded by the State Agency for the Great Green Wall. The event saw robust participation from a coalition of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, international NGOs, and representatives from the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The initiative is a central pillar of the state’s strategy to mitigate the severe impacts of climate change, including advancing desertification, drought, and rising temperatures, which pose a significant threat to livelihoods in the region.
In an address at the launch, the Director-General of the Agency, Ambassador Usman Aliyu, underscored the critical importance of the project. “This is a giant step in mitigating the effects of climate change, global warming, and desertification. Our objective is a collective effort to see Borno State become green before 2030, in alignment with the sub-national targets set by the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol,” Aliyu stated.
The DG emphasized that the effort extends far beyond mere planting. “It is not only about plantation; there is also the crucial work of protection and nurturing to maturity. Our motto is ‘Plant, Protect, and Nurture’ to ensure a conducive and enabling environment,” he explained.
The initial flag-off event involved the planting of 1,000 seedlings, symbolising the launch of the wider campaign. Aliyu revealed that the agency’s next phase involves rolling out the initiative across all 27 accessible Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, “populating them with thousands of seedlings.”
Furthermore, the DG officially launched a complementary citizen-driven campaign, “One Tree Before Your Last Breath,” which is embedded in the 25-year developmental plan of Governor Babagana Zulum. The program encourages every citizen of Borno to plant a tree, with the Agency offering free seedlings to those who cannot afford them under an agreement to ensure the trees are cared for.
“I am overwhelmed by the turnout today,” Aliyu concluded. “This is a testament to our shared commitment. We urge the public to continue with the plantation, protection, and nurturing for us to fully comply with our global climate obligations.”
The campaign represents one of the most ambitious afforestation projects in the region and is being closely watched as a model for sub-national climate action in NIGERIA.
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