Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has highlighted the severe impact of drought on the nation’s population, revealing that about 40 million Nigerians have been driven into poverty due to the ongoing environmental crisis.
Speaking at the celebration of World Environment Day, organized by the United Nations in Nigeria in collaboration with Greenhub Africa Foundation and the Renewable Energy Efficiency Association, Dr. Salako emphasized the dire consequences of drought, particularly around the Lake Chad region.
Represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Usman, a senior official in the ministry, the minister underscored the various actions taken by the Nigerian government to mitigate the effects of drought.
However, he acknowledged that these efforts have been insufficient to halt further degradation, necessitating decisive actions to reverse and recover the lost land.
Dr. Salako stressed, “Land degradation is a global sustainable development concern that threatens the primary productivity of soil, food production systems, biodiversity, water availability, energy, peace, security, and sustainable livelihoods.
“For farmers, herdsmen, and agro-foresters in Nigeria, land degradation means a constant battle to grow crops, feed livestock, and maintain ecosystem stability.”
The minister also drew a direct connection between land degradation and poverty, noting that those most affected are the poorest who rely on the land for sustenance.
He explained, “It is an incontrovertible fact that healthy land is vital to the existence and persistence of all human societies, providing food, fodder, water, and materials such as timber and fiber.
“As land becomes degraded, the availability of arable land for agriculture decreases, compounding food insecurity and forcing communities to migrate in search of better living conditions, which invariably leads to conflicts.”
This year’s World Environment Day theme, “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” is particularly pertinent given the extensive damage caused by human activities such as urbanization, unsustainable agriculture, deforestation, and uncontrolled mining.
Dr. Salako called for immediate intervention to repair the damage and restore land health, emphasizing that sustainable land management is crucial for addressing global challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Other notable speakers at the event included Professor Obas Ebohon, Chairman of Greenhub Africa, Dede Ekoue, Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dominique Koffy, Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Professor Magnus Onuoha, President of the Governing Council Alliance.
These experts echoed the minister’s concerns and called for the development of robust policies to address the multifaceted risks posed by climate change and environmental degradation.
The event, which gathered stakeholders from various UN-led and civil society organizations, provided a platform for brainstorming and developing comprehensive strategies.
The collective aim is to achieve Nigeria’s voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality targets by 2030, ensuring that the country can sustainably manage its land resources and mitigate the impacts of drought and desertification on its citizens.
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