…Urges Tougher Enforcement of Environmental Laws Nationwide
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has declared a fresh offensive against deforestation, calling for the strict enforcement of environmental laws across Nigeria while unveiling automatic scholarships for 540 local government workers to study forestry and environmental management.
The governor announced the initiative on Wednesday while declaring open the 2026 Annual Top Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Environment and National Tree Planting Campaign in Maiduguri, describing environmental degradation as a growing threat that demands urgent and coordinated action.
In a major capacity-building initiative, Zulum directed each of Borno’s 27 local government councils to nominate 20 staff from their agriculture and natural resources departments for admission into the Federal College of Forestry, Maiduguri. He pledged that the state government would fully sponsor their education and absorb them into the state civil service upon graduation.
“We will sponsor their studies and streamline their services from the local governments to the state government after completion of their programmes,” the governor declared.
Expressing concern over the indiscriminate felling of trees, Zulum lamented that although Borno has enacted laws prescribing stiff penalties for illegal logging, weak enforcement has continued to undermine efforts to protect the environment.
He noted that attempts to enforce the law had met resistance from some residents who depend on firewood for cooking, stressing that sustainable alternatives must be pursued without compromising environmental protection.
The governor called for stronger collaboration between the Federal and State Governments, insisting that only coordinated enforcement of environmental laws and tougher sanctions against offenders would effectively combat desertification and accelerate afforestation across the country.
Highlighting his administration’s environmental record, Zulum said Borno has continued to invest in ecosystem restoration, tree planting, renewable energy, waste management and climate resilience through partnerships with federal agencies, development partners and local communities.
He also commended the Federal Ministry of Environment for choosing Maiduguri to host the retreat, describing the decision as recognition of Borno’s remarkable recovery from years of insurgency and its commitment to sustainable development.
The governor further appreciated the ministry for its support during the devastating 2024 floods, particularly its ₦50 million intervention to assist the state in mitigating the disaster’s impact.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawan, praised Governor Zulum’s leadership in rebuilding communities and restoring the environment, saying the retreat would strengthen environmental regulation, institutional performance and collaboration between the Federal Government and the states.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening Enforcement, Innovation and Institutional Performance for Sustainable Environmental Governance,” attracted top government officials, environmental experts, heads of federal agencies and other stakeholders committed to advancing Nigeria’s environmental sustainability agenda.
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