By abdullahi Lukman
The Sokoto State Government has announced an ambitious plan to plant one million trees this year, a significant step in its ongoing fight against desertification, land degradation, and the effects of climate change.
This initiative was unveiled by Alhaji Mustapha Bello, Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Environment, during a recent sensitization exercise commemorating the 2025 World Desertification and Drought Day.
Bello underscored the vital role of trees in human survival and environmental conservation, urging collective efforts from all levels to promote tree planting and nurturing.
He issued a stern warning against the indiscriminate felling of trees for human activities, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to protecting existing trees and expanding shelterbelts across Sokoto.
“The Ministry has made arrangements to plant one million trees this season and is determined to support tree planting initiatives in schools and other institutions,” Bello stated.
He added that substantial investments have been made to curb desert encroachment and tackle other climate change challenges through partnerships with both international and national agencies.
According to Bello, climate change mitigation strategies have been strengthened at all levels within the state to ensure better coordination and harmonious activities.
Bello explained that land degradation, drought, and desertification, along with their impacts on the environment and human livelihoods, have become pressing global environmental concerns demanding urgent attention.
He further clarified that land degradation is both a cause and a consequence of climate change.
Dr. Abubakar Gumi, from the Department of Plant Science at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, also addressed the gathering.
He elaborated on the causes, impacts, spread, and necessary attention to prevent desertification.
Gumi emphasized that the dangers of environmental degradation are enormous and require collective efforts from individuals, groups, and institutions.
He highlighted that land restoration offers a powerful solution with the potential to limit climate change and achieve sustainable development goals. Gumi called on state residents to actively plant trees to combat climate change and refrain from activities that aggravate drought and desertification.
Sokoto State has a strong track record of large-scale tree planting initiatives aimed at environmental restoration and climate resilience.
In 2016, under Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the state launched a major afforestation campaign, distributing one million tree seedlings—including moringa, baobab, mango, neem, and eucalyptus—across all 23 local government areas at no cost.
The primary goal was to curb desert encroachment and mitigate the growing impacts of global warming. By 2020, the government expanded this effort, doubling the target to two million seedlings to deepen public awareness about the crucial role of trees in combating drought, land degradation, and the broader threats of climate change.
Further demonstrating its environmental commitment, the state government pledged N1 billion to the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative.
Through this project, Sokoto has implemented extensive land and forest restoration measures, including the planting of 7,000 hectares of moringa trees, the enrichment of 500 hectares of forest land, and the rehabilitation of 1,300 hectares of water sources.
