The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, is set to endorse and validate the first phase of the Strategic Catchment Management Plans under the Agroclimatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape project.
The endorsement is expected to be finalised on Wednesday, at a stakeholders’ session in Abuja, following extensive engagements across participating regions.
Funded through a $700m loan facility from the World Bank, the six-year ACReSAL initiative aims to address climate resilience in northern Nigeria.
Speaking on the scope of the project on Monday, the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar explained, “This plan that we call the Strategic Catchment Management Plan, sponsored by the federal government under the World Bank facility of $700m, ensures investments are tailored to the specific needs and natural resources of each catchment area. This strategic approach avoids scattered, uncoordinated development efforts.”
The project’s validation session focused on the Hadeja Jama’are catchment area, which spans Jigawa and Bauchi states.
Umar emphasised the importance of catchment-based planning, noting, “Water does not recognise political boundaries. For us to avoid political crises between states, the catchment plans are designed scientifically to follow natural hydrological flows, ensuring cohesion and environmental sustainability.”
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari commended the effort, stating, “This is the first time Nigeria is developing catchment management plans covering such a large landmass. The structure and framework validated today will set the tone for similar plans across the remaining regions.”
He added that the initiative has demonstrated the capability of Nigerian firms, including consultants like Mecon Geology and Engineering Ltd, to deliver on globally recognized standards.
The SCMP’s pilot phase involves four states—Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, and Kano—where stakeholders met on Monday to authenticate data collected during consultations.
Umar said, “We engaged communities to determine their priorities. Is it water for drinking or agriculture? Are there flood risks? This approach ensures investments address the unique challenges of each area while improving livelihoods.”
Kambari also highlighted the plan’s long-term impact, stating “ACReSAL aims to benefit 3.4 million Nigerians directly, with 49.41 per cent being women. These are not just numbers; they represent lives transformed through sustainable development.”
The validation process will culminate in a formal presentation to senior government officials and traditional leaders on Wednesday in Abuja.
Umar explained, “We want this document to be all-encompassing and comprehensive. This is not just a plan—it’s the foundation for meaningful, long-term development in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions.”
The six-year project, which began in 2022, is expected to conclude by 2028. Stakeholders remain optimistic that its outcomes will foster resilience, mitigate climate impacts, and drive socio-economic growth in northern Nigeria and beyond.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Temitope Fashedemi, lauded the ACReSAL project for addressing climate risks and enhancing agricultural productivity in northern Nigeria.
Speaking during a technical session on the Strategic Catchment Management Plans Fashedemi noted, “This workshop represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts to enhance resilience in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions.”
Highlighting the country’s vulnerabilities to climate risks, Fashedemi remarked, “Nigeria is listed among the countries most exposed to climate risks. Due to recent climate-related disasters like flooding and deforestation, agricultural productivity has fallen in most parts of northern Nigeria.”
