By Usman Muhammed Zaria
The Director General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Alhaji Saleh Abubakar, says the agency is targeting the planting of 500,000 seedlings across Jigawa State during at this year’s krainy season.
He stated this during an inspection of ongoing projects in different parts of the state.
According to him, the planting is part of an enrichment project covering more than 50 hectares that is currently underway.
He further explained that the initiative is aimed at restoring degraded land, tackling desertification and soil erosion, as well as helping communities cope with the growing effects of climate change.
Alhaji Saleh Abubakar pointed out that the agency has already established plantations in several communities in the state.
He noted that in Fari, NAGGW has planted 10 hectares of gum arabic and 20 hectares of woodlots, adding that, at Yarda Kangiwa in Kaugama local government area, another 10 hectares of cactus and gum arabic have also been planted.
“The goal goes beyond planting trees. It is about protecting the environment, supporting communities, and building a more sustainable future in the face of climate change,” he said.
The DG further explained that 5 hectares of woodlots have been established in Balangu, Kafin Hausa local government area, while about 10 kilometres of neem trees have been planted along the Kamataraye shelterbelt in Maigatari local government area.
Also speaking, the Jigawa State Field Officer, Malam Kabiru Abubakar, linked the changing rainfall pattern in parts of the state to environmental challenges, including deforestation.
Kabiru therefore called on residents to take ownership of the trees planted in their communities and help protect federal government projects.
NAGGW was established in 2025 by the Federal Government to combat land degradation, desertification, and the effects of climate change across 11 frontline northern states.
Radio Nigeria reports that last year, the agency announced a 5-year plan to plant 50 million date palm trees across the 11 states, beginning with five million seedlings.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
