Project Coordinators of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project have called for additional financing to scale up land restoration and climate resilience interventions across Nigeria, citing growing environmental threats and rising community vulnerabilities.
Speaking at the Mid-Term Review plenary held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, the National Project Coordinator, Abdulhamid Umar, stressed that sustained funding is essential to maintain momentum and deepen impact. He noted that current interventions have delivered measurable outcomes but require expansion to address wider ecological challenges. “Sustained financing is critical to continue land restoration efforts and accelerate community development initiatives across participating states,” he said.
From Gombe State, Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro raised concerns over the scale of gully erosion, revealing that the state is grappling with more than 200 active gullies. He commended the support of the World Bank, noting that interventions have successfully controlled major erosion sites, including the 21-kilometre FCE gully and the 18-kilometre Government Girls College Doma gully. “Thousands of lives and properties have been saved,” he added.
Coordinators from Kogi, Nasarawa, Bauchi and Kwara States also underscored the need for expanded funding to consolidate gains and scale climate-resilient solutions.
The ACReSAL project, supported by the World Bank, focuses on tackling land degradation, improving water resource management, and strengthening resilience in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions.
