csrreporters 
In a bold step toward environmental resilience and sustainable agriculture, the Federal
Government of Nigeria has announced plans to scale up the Agro-Climatic Resilience in
Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project across more states, as part of a nationwide
strategy to combat climate change, land degradation, and food insecurity.
The ACReSAL initiative, supported by the World Bank, currently spans 19 northern
Nigerian states and aims to restore degraded lands, manage water resources more efficiently,
and strengthen livelihoods in climate-vulnerable communities. With its expansion, the project
is expected to reach even more areas grappling with desertification, erratic rainfall, and
agricultural decline.
“Scaling up ACReSAL is a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its
people and ecosystems from the devastating effects of climate change,” said Dr. Iziaq
Salako, Minister of State for Environment. “It is also a lifeline for millions of farmers and
rural families who rely on healthy land and water to survive.”
The program is anchored on three pillars:
- Environmental restoration: Reforestation, erosion control, and climate-smart land
practices - Water resource management: Irrigation systems, dam rehabilitation, and flood risk
reduction - Agricultural transformation: Promoting drought-resistant crops and sustainable
farming methods
Officials say the expanded scope will also create thousands of green jobs and empower
women and youth in climate-smart agribusiness ventures.
“We are not just planting trees — we are planting hope,” said Dr. Abdulhamid Umar,
National Project Coordinator for ACReSAL. “The project is restoring dignity to communities
hit hardest by environmental decline.”
ACReSAL aligns with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the
Paris Agreement, and complements the government’s broader push for climate adaptation,
renewable energy, and sustainable development.
The expansion comes amid growing threats from extreme weather, displacement, and food
shortages linked to desert encroachment in the Sahel and northern regions.
“Food security is national security,” said Mrs. Aisha Maikano, a development expert and
farmer in Katsina State. “With ACReSAL, our farms are recovering, and our futures are
looking greener.”
The government is urging development partners, private investors, and civil society groups to
join the next phase of the project — which is also expected to enhance Nigeria’s access to
global climate finance.