The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has unveiled plans to plant 50 million date trees by 2030 as part of its renewed strategy to combat desertification, restore degraded lands and strengthen environmental sustainability across northern Nigeria.
The agency also officially relocated its national headquarters from Abuja to Kano, a move aimed at bringing its operations closer to the states most affected by desert encroachment and land degradation.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new headquarters in Kano on Tuesday, the Director-General of NAGGW Saleh Abubakar, said the relocation, approved by President Bola Tinubu, represents a strategic step toward improving the agency’s effectiveness in Nigeria’s most environmentally vulnerable regions.
According to Abubakar, the ambitious target of planting 50 million date trees forms part of broader efforts to curb deforestation, reduce the impact of desertification and promote ecosystem restoration across the Great Green Wall corridor.
He noted that date trees are well suited to arid and semi-arid environments and will contribute to land restoration, climate resilience and improved livelihoods for communities living in affected areas.
The Director-General explained that relocating the agency’s headquarters to Kano will enhance coordination with frontline states, improve project implementation and facilitate closer engagement with local communities and development partners.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to implementing sustainable environmental restoration programmes capable of reversing land degradation while supporting agriculture and rural economic development.
Stakeholders described the relocation as a strategic move that will strengthen the agency’s presence in the region and accelerate efforts to address climate change, desert encroachment and biodiversity loss.
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall reiterated its commitment to restoring degraded landscapes, promoting afforestation and advancing sustainable land management as part of Nigeria’s contribution to regional and global environmental conservation efforts.
