Abuja: The Federal Government has called for a shift from reactive measures to proactive early-warning drought management strategies to curb accelerating land degradation and desertification in the country. The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday following COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Lawal stated that Nigeria remains committed to achieving its land degradation neutrality targets and advancing the objectives of the Great Green Wall initiative. He highlighted that land degradation, desertification, and drought are affecting food security, livelihoods, water resources, migration, and stability, with about 50 percent of Nigeria’s land degraded.
Lawal emphasized the need for stronger international cooperation on climate finance, water security, land restoration, food systems, and soil health to address these challenges effectively. He suggested that countries must move from responding to drought after it occurs to anticipating and preparing for its impacts through effective early warning mechanisms.
He further noted that Africa is at the frontline of land degradation, desertification, and drought, stressing the urgency to translate international commitments into measurable actions. Lawal argued that the success of COP17 should be measured by tangible changes delivered on the ground, rather than the number of decisions adopted by participants.
The minister urged countries to transition from words to action, commitments to delivery, and ambition to measurable results that would improve people’s lives and livelihoods. He also expressed Nigeria’s support for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 to give greater recognition to pastoral communities and strengthen their resilience.
Lawal pledged Nigeria’s readiness to work with the COP Presidency, UNCCD Secretariat, and other parties to achieve practical, inclusive, and nationally responsive outcomes.
Mr. Saleh Abubakar, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), told NAN that Nigeria’s participation provided opportunities to exchange knowledge on land restoration. Abubakar noted that COP17 brought together governments, scientists, farmers, youths, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders to address desertification, land degradation, and drought.
He mentioned that Nigeria would showcase its scientific knowledge and indigenous practices while establishing research partnerships and strengthening cooperation among government, universities, and communities. The conference, he said, would help Nigeria access technical assistance and investment, improve drought preparedness, and strengthen early warning systems.
Abubakar stressed the need for Nigeria to move from emergency response towards drought prediction, preparedness, adaptation, and resilience to reduce vulnerability. He assured that NAGGW would continue working with local and international partners to address desertification across Nigeria’s 11 frontline dryland states.
He concluded that these efforts would improve food security, strengthen livelihoods, and reduce conflicts between farmers and herders, while addressing land degradation. COP17, themed ‘Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,’ provides a global platform for countries to deliberate on land degradation, desertification, drought management, and sustainable land restoration.