Nigeria moves to institutionalise landmark ACReSAL project

Politics

ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — 27 March 2026 — The Federal Government of Nigeria has charted a path to transform the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project from a time-bound initiative into a permanent pillar of national environmental policy.

At a high-level meeting in Abuja, three cabinet ministers overseeing the project reached consensus on the need to sustain ACReSAL’s achievements in landscape restoration and community resilience beyond its current lifespan.

A statement on Friday, signed by Jane Ozuruoke, for Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Environment, quoted the Steering Committee Chairman and Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, as stressing that the “Knowledge Gain” from ACReSAL must serve as Nigeria’s permanent blueprint for environmental stability.

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Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, called for immediate institutionalisation through a strong federal component to oversee sustainability strategies. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, emphasised the economic wisdom of federal investment at the grassroots level, noting its high impact and cost-effectiveness.

The meeting also highlighted the World Bank’s ranking of ACReSAL as one of its best-performing projects in Nigeria, setting the stage for the forthcoming Mid-Term Review (MTR). The review will assess achievements against Project Development Objectives and refine strategies for ambitious land restoration targets.

To bolster momentum, ministers discussed expanded collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), aiming to integrate climate-smart research into ACReSAL and equip farmers with resilience-building techniques.

Recognising the project’s track record, ministers also explored additional financing to scale up restoration activities, reach more vulnerable communities and accelerate Nigeria’s climate resilience goals.

The meeting concluded with a collective affirmation that ACReSAL has evolved into a national standard for multi-sectoral success. Plans for a permanent agency and expanded funding are expected to secure the sustainability of gains across Nigeria’s semi-arid landscapes.

The MTR will be held in Kaduna with participation from ministers, commissioners, permanent secretaries, the World Bank and other stakeholders.