Desertification: NAGGW Launches ‘Cut One, Plant Two’ Campaign

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), led by Director General and CEO Saleh Abubakar, is set to launch a new campaign titled “Cut One, Plant Two “ to address rising deforestation and desertification in Nigeria.

Abubarka announced this when he received the LEADERSHIP media delegation during a courtesy visit yesterday in Abuja.

According to the DG, the initiative is designed to promote the replacement of every tree cut down with two new ones, ensuring a proactive approach to restoring Nigeria’s rapidly depleting forest cover.
He explained that the campaign would focus on using fast-growing trees, which can be harvested within two to three years. These trees could be processed into eco-friendly charcoal briquettes, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional firewood and reducing environmental damage.

Abubakar further emphasised the agency’s plan to establish personal and commercial woodlots. These woodlots would allow individuals and businesses to plant between 200,000 and over 1 million trees for sustainable timber and charcoal production, helping to curb the widespread, indiscriminate cutting of trees for cooking fuel.

Abubakar noted that the “Cut One, Plant Two” campaign is intended to foster a nationwide culture of environmental responsibility. It aims to restore ecological balance while also tackling the problem of illegal logging, particularly in central Nigeria.

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“As the northern regions face the challenge of desertification, central parts of the country are experiencing severe deforestation due to unchecked tree felling for charcoal production,” he said.

He also raised concerns over the increasing impact of climate change on Nigeria, pointing out that recent record-high temperatures and excessive rainfall have caused numerous fatalities, especially in the northern states. This, he said, underscores the urgent need to address environmental degradation.

The DG called for collaboration from government agencies and media organisations, as well as from all citizens, to protect and restore the nation’s forests.

He reiterated that the joint efforts proposed under this campaign are critical to ensuring Nigeria’s greener, more sustainable future.

In his remarks, Muazu Elazeh, the Group Managing Director of LEADERSHIP Group Ltd, formally congratulated the agency on its continued efforts to tackle land degradation, desertification, and climate change in Nigeria.

He praised the agency’s significant strides in building community resilience and enhancing food security, particularly in Nigeria’s frontline states.

Highlighting the importance of NAGGW’s mandate, Elazeh stated, “At a time when climate change is a critical global issue, your agency is at the forefront of Nigeria’s response to these challenges. We are here to express our appreciation for the laudable efforts you are making to combat desertification and land degradation and build resilience in vulnerable communities.”

He noted that public awareness and education are critical to achieving the agency’s objectives and emphasised that without sufficient education and sensitisation of communities in the frontline states, the NAGGW’s work may not reach its full impact.

To address this, Elazeh said that LEADERSHIP Group is proposing a partnership that would leverage its extensive media platforms to amplify the agency’s efforts.