By Ahmed Ahmed
The Federal Government and the Borno State Government have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of environmental laws to sustain afforestation programmes and address the growing threats of desertification, deforestation and climate change across Nigeria.
The appeal was made during the 2026 Top Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Borno State Government on the National Tree-Planting Campaign in Maiduguri.
Governor Babagana Zulum described environmental degradation as one of the most pressing challenges confronting Borno State and the wider Sahel region.
He noted that desert encroachment, drought, land degradation and climate change continue to reduce agricultural productivity, deepen poverty and worsen food insecurity.
Zulum highlighted measures already undertaken by the state, including tree-planting initiatives, ecosystem restoration projects, renewable energy promotion, improved waste management and climate resilience programmes designed to protect vulnerable communities.
Despite these efforts, the governor said weak enforcement of existing environmental laws, particularly those banning illegal tree felling, remains a major challenge.
He urged both federal and state authorities to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to safeguard forests and natural resources.
The governor also expressed concern over the continued harvesting and cross-border transportation of firewood, warning that unchecked deforestation could have severe consequences for future generations.
Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to afforestation, ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation and clean cooking technologies, stressing the need for stakeholders to turn policies into measurable actions for a greener and more sustainable Nigeria.
