By Faridat Salifu
As part of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day celebrations, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, on Tuesday, launched a nationwide tree planting campaign at the University of Abuja.
The tree planting exercise underscores the country’s commitment to environmental conservation and climate action.
Speaking at the ocassion, Dr. Salako highlighted the significance of launching the campaign at the University of Abuja, a key institution representing national unity.
He emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship in protecting Nigeria’s natural resources, stating, “The forest is a library; every tree is a book.”
The minister outlined the federal government’s environmental goals under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which focus on promoting eco-friendly practices, supporting reforestation efforts, and fostering a culture of sustainability.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing forest cover to meet the recommended 25%, restoring degraded forests, and promoting sustainable forest management and conservation.
NatureNews can report that one of the primary initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment in 2024 is the plan to plant 6 million trees across the country.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance biodiversity, support climate change mitigation, and promote ecosystem services.
Dr. Salako detailed the various programs through which the government is implementing its forest agenda, including: The Great Green Wall (GGW) Programme, which involves the creation of a 15-kilometre-wide green belt across 11 states in the North to combat desertification.
Also, there is the National Forest Program (NFP), aimed at promoting sustainable forest management, the Forestry and Wildlife Management Department, responsible for overseeing forestry and wildlife conservation.
Others include the National Park Service (NPS), which manages protected areas and national parks and the Nigerian REDD+ Program, focusing on reducing emissions from deforestation
On importance of trees, Dr. Salako underscored the numerous benefits of trees, including their role in climate change mitigation, erosion control, water cycle regulation, and biodiversity conservation.
He said trees also provide economic benefits through sustainable forest management, carbon credits, and eco-tourism, while supporting green jobs and livelihoods.
“Trees are considered the lungs of the earth,” the minister remarked, quoting an old saying that highlights the vital role forests play in sustaining life. “If the last tree dies, the last man standing dies too.”
The minister urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility in combating climate change by planting and nurturing trees.
He shared his own commitment, noting that he had personally planted over 50 trees in 2024, surpassing his initial goal. “I hope to see a time when every adult Nigerian plants and nurtures at least one tree per year as their personal climate action,” he added.
He encouraged citizens to mark special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries by planting trees, framing it as a symbolic gesture that contributes to the country’s environmental sustainability.
Concluding his address, the minister cited a Chinese proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”