By Abbas Nazil
University of Abuja has intensified efforts to promote environmental sustainability by launching a large-scale tree-planting campaign as part of activities marking its upcoming convocation ceremony.
The initiative brought together key environmental authorities, including officials from the National Council on Climate Change and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, alongside the university’s leadership to plant trees and raise awareness on the importance of ecosystem preservation.
The exercise was attended by the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Omotenioye Majekodunmi, as well as the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, who jointly carried out the symbolic planting of trees.
University management explained that tree planting has become a routine environmental activity within the institution following increased recognition of the urgent need to protect natural ecosystems and reduce environmental degradation.
Officials said the campaign also aims to educate students, staff, and nearby residents about the long-term environmental and economic value of trees, particularly in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
During a lecture titled “Carbon Credits from Tree Planting: Opportunities and Challenges for Nigeria’s Climate Goals,” Majekodunmi highlighted the financial and health benefits associated with sustained environmental restoration through tree planting.
She explained that carbon credits represent measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions achieved when trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in plant tissues and soil through a process known as carbon sequestration.
According to her, properly planted and maintained trees can generate verifiable carbon credits that can be traded in international carbon markets, creating new opportunities for environmental restoration projects to attract funding.
Majekodunmi stressed that tree planting should no longer be viewed as a simple environmental gesture but rather as a strategic development tool capable of supporting climate action, restoring degraded land, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening environmental resilience.
She noted that Nigeria possesses vast areas of degraded land that can be restored through afforestation, agroforestry, mangrove restoration, and shelter belt expansion, adding that these activities could significantly enhance ecological stability across vulnerable regions.
The Director-General also pointed out that Nigeria’s large youth population represents a valuable resource that can drive innovation and support emerging green jobs linked to environmental conservation and climate action.
She highlighted the importance of building credibility in carbon market systems, stating that successful projects must involve accurate measurement of carbon absorption, transparent governance, and fair community participation to ensure lasting results.
Majekodunmi further emphasised that tree-based carbon projects have the potential to unlock climate finance, particularly in developing countries where funding gaps have slowed environmental restoration initiatives.
She explained that well-managed projects can create jobs in nursery development, seedling production, planting, monitoring, forest maintenance, data collection, and digital environmental services, making climate action an avenue for local economic growth.
In addition to environmental benefits, she said tree planting can strengthen food security through agroforestry practices that improve soil quality, reduce erosion, maintain moisture levels, and increase long-term agricultural productivity.
Majekodunmi added that the evolving carbon economy is also creating new career paths, including roles such as carbon analysts, climate financiers, environmental lawyers, and geographic information system specialists.
She stressed that forests should be regarded as valuable national assets, and communities must be actively involved as stakeholders through awareness programmes and supportive policies that encourage sustainable land use.
The campaign organisers reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that Nigeria plays a meaningful role in shaping the global carbon market while building strong institutions and scientific systems needed to support sustainable development.
University officials expressed confidence that continuous tree-planting initiatives and climate awareness programmes would contribute to long-term environmental protection, enhance biodiversity, and support national efforts to address climate change challenges.
