FG, Borno Seek Stronger Enforcement of Environmental Laws to Combat Desertification
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Federal Government and the Borno State Government have called for stronger enforcement of environmental laws to sustain afforestation efforts and tackle desertification, deforestation and the growing impact of climate change across Nigeria.
The call was made on Wednesday in Maiduguri during the 2026 Top Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Environment, organised in collaboration with the Borno State Government as part of the National Tree-Planting Campaign.
Speaking at the event, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, described environmental degradation as one of the greatest threats confronting communities in the state and other parts of the Sahel region.
He said desert encroachment, drought, land degradation and climate change had continued to undermine agricultural productivity, worsen poverty and deepen food insecurity.
According to him, Borno State has implemented several environmental initiatives, including afforestation programmes, ecosystem restoration projects, renewable energy promotion, improved waste management and climate resilience measures aimed at protecting vulnerable communities.
Governor Zulum, however, identified weak enforcement as a major challenge despite the existence of laws prohibiting illegal tree felling and other environmental offences.
He called for stronger collaboration between the Federal and State Governments to establish an effective enforcement framework capable of protecting forests and other natural resources from further depletion.
The governor also expressed concern over the continued harvesting and cross-border transportation of firewood, warning that unchecked deforestation posed a serious threat to future generations.
He stressed that tackling desertification and climate change required coordinated action involving all levels of government, development partners, traditional institutions and local communities.
Earlier, the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, said the retreat would focus on strengthening environmental governance, institutional performance, regulatory compliance and accountability.
The minister acknowledged that weak enforcement of environmental regulations remained a major obstacle to effective environmental management in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to afforestation, ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation and sustainable energy initiatives, including the promotion of clean cooking technologies to reduce dependence on firewood.
Lawal urged stakeholders to translate environmental policies into concrete actions capable of securing a greener and more sustainable future for Nigeria.
FG, Borno Seek Stronger Enforcement of Environmental Laws to Combat Desertification