The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, is set to endorse the initial phase of the “Strategic Catchment Management Plans (SCMP)” under the $700 million “Agroclimatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL)” project.
The endorsement will be finalised during a stakeholder’s session in Abuja on Wednesday, following comprehensive engagements across the participating regions.
Funded by the World Bank, the six-year ACReSAL initiative aims to enhance climate resilience in northern Nigeria by addressing key environmental challenges.
Speaking on Monday, ACReSAL’s National Project Coordinator, Abdulhamid Umar, said, “This plan, backed by the federal government through a World Bank loan of $700 million, ensures investments align with the specific needs and natural resources of each catchment area.
This approach prevents scattered, uncoordinated efforts.”
The pilot phase of the project focuses on the “Hadeja Jama’are catchment area”, spanning Jigawa and Bauchi states.
Umar highlighted the strategic importance of catchment-based planning, stating, “Water does not recognise political boundaries.
To avoid conflicts between states, the catchment plans are scientifically designed to follow natural hydrological flows, promoting cohesion and environmental sustainability.”
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, lauded the initiative as a landmark achievement.
He said, “This is the first time Nigeria is developing catchment management plans on this scale.
The validated framework will serve as a model for similar efforts across other regions.”
Kambari also praised Nigerian consultants, including “Mecon Geology and Engineering Ltd”, for their world-class contributions to the project.
The validation process involved stakeholders from Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, and Kano states, who reviewed data collected during consultations with local communities.
Umar explained, “We engaged communities to identify their priorities—whether water for drinking, agriculture, or flood mitigation.
This ensures our investments directly address each area’s unique challenges while improving livelihoods.”
The project is expected to directly benefit 3.4 million Nigerians, nearly half of whom are women.
Kambari emphasized the impact, stating, “These are not just numbers.
They represent lives transformed through sustainable development.”
The initiative also received praise from the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Temitope Fashedemi.
He described the SCMP as a crucial step toward enhancing resilience in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions.
Fashedemi remarked, “Nigeria remains highly vulnerable to climate risks, with recent disasters like flooding and deforestation reducing agricultural productivity in northern regions.
This project is a significant response to these challenges.”
The six-year ACReSAL project, which commenced in 2022, is expected to conclude by 2028.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative will foster resilience, mitigate climate risks, and drive socio-economic growth across northern Nigeria and beyond.
The finalised SCMP document will be formally presented to senior government officials and traditional leaders in Abuja, laying the foundation for long-term development and climate adaptation.
