By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria’s Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has been positioned as a global benchmark for climate resilience and integrated landscape management following a high-level Mid-Term Review held in Kaduna.
The review, hosted at the Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Club, brought together federal ministers, state officials from the 19 Northern states and the FCT, World Bank representatives, and technical stakeholders to assess progress and map the next phase of implementation.
Key government officials, including Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, emphasized the project’s strategic importance in addressing desertification, water scarcity, and food insecurity.
Representing Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Commissioner Abubakar Buba highlighted measurable achievements, including the restoration of over 22,000 hectares of degraded land and the desilting of 160 kilometers of drainage systems to mitigate flooding.
He noted that the project’s integration into the state’s SUSTAIN Agenda has expanded access to climate-smart agricultural financing while empowering women and youth through training in sustainable biomass energy.
Stakeholders at the review stressed that the initiative has evolved beyond a national intervention into a model studied across Africa for its coordinated federal-state approach and community-driven impact.
World Bank Task Team Leader Dr. Joy Iganya Agene described ACReSAL as a “global success story,” attributing its effectiveness to strong collaboration among government institutions and project management teams.
Despite recorded progress, officials acknowledged the need for improved accountability, enhanced agricultural performance tracking, and deeper integration of water resource management into land-use planning.
Minister Utsev emphasized the interdependence of land and water systems, warning that environmental degradation directly weakens watersheds and reduces groundwater recharge.
Participants also highlighted gender-responsive strategies, noting the importance of reducing water access burdens on women and vulnerable groups.
Looking ahead, discussions focused on additional financing to scale interventions and possibly extend the project timeline toward 2028.
A sustainability framework was also outlined to ensure long-term maintenance of restored landscapes and continued livelihood improvements beyond the project’s lifecycle.
