The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) joined stakeholders from across the country to commemorate the Great Green Wall Day and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) on Wednesday, 31st July, 2025. The landmark event, which held at the Government House in Dutse, Jigawa State, also featured the official flag-off of the ambitious 50 Million Date Palm Plantation Programme — a strategic intervention to combat desertification and enhance food security in northern Nigeria.
The occasion brought together a wide spectrum of participants, including government dignitaries, traditional leaders, environmental experts, civil society organisations, donor partners, and representatives from various federal institutions, all demonstrating a united front in the fight against land degradation and climate change.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, was ably represented by the Head of NEMA’s Kano Operations Office, Dr. Nura Abdullahi. He joined other high-level dignitaries in reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to environmental sustainability and disaster risk reduction. Dr. Abdullahi, in his goodwill message, emphasized the critical connection between land restoration, food security, and resilience against climate-induced disasters such as drought, flooding, and displacement.
The event featured keynote addresses from the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, who represented the State Governor, the Director General of NAGGW, and other key partners working in the climate and environmental space. Their speeches highlighted the decade-long achievements of the Great Green Wall initiative, which has led to the restoration of thousands of hectares of degraded land, increased vegetation cover, and the empowerment of local communities through sustainable livelihoods.
A major highlight of the celebration was the formal flag-off of the 50 Million Date Palm initiative, an ambitious agroforestry programme aimed at expanding green cover and boosting the economic base of communities in arid and semi-arid zones. The exhibition and documentary session further showcased the journey of the NAGGW over the past ten years—its milestones, innovations, and the human impact of its interventions.
This year’s theme, *“A Decade of Greening the Sahel: Restoring Land, Building Livelihoods,”* resonated strongly with participants. It underscored the Great Green Wall’s vital role not only as an environmental project, but as a socio-economic lifeline that strengthens community adaptation to climate change and builds long-term resilience for future generations.
NEMA’s participation at the event reaffirmed its strategic partnership with sister agencies like NAGGW in tackling the root causes of ecological disasters. The Agency continues to promote integrated approaches to disaster management, including ecosystem restoration and proactive environmental planning as part of its national mandate.
As climate threats intensify across the Sahel and beyond, initiatives like the Great Green Wall and collaborative platforms such as this anniversary celebration offer hope, inspiration, and a clear roadmap for sustainable development. Through synergy, commitment, and innovation, stakeholders are sowing the seeds of a greener, safer, and more secure Nigeria.
