In a high-level strategic convergence at the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Government of Nigeria has outlined plans to transform the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project from a time-bound initiative into a permanent pillar of national environmental architecture.
The meeting brought together the three cabinet ministers overseeing ACReSAL, who reached consensus on the need to sustain the project’s lessons in landscape restoration and community resilience beyond its current lifespan.
The Chairman of the ACReSAL Federal Steering Committee and Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, emphasized that the “knowledge gain” from ACReSAL must serve as a permanent blueprint for environmental stability in Nigeria.
Supporting this vision, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, stressed that immediate institutionalization is critical, proposing the creation of a robust federal component to oversee sustainability strategies.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, highlighted the economic rationale of this approach, noting that federal investment in the states is highly cost-effective, delivering significant returns while reinforcing community-level impact.
A key highlight of the meeting was the formal recognition that the World Bank has ranked ACReSAL among the best-performing projects within its Nigeria portfolio.
This distinction sets the stage for the upcoming Mid-Term Review (MTR), which will rigorously evaluate the project’s achievements against its Project Development Objectives (PDO) and Results Framework.
The review is expected to validate ACReSAL’s impact and refine its strategy toward achieving its ambitious land restoration targets.
To further strengthen the initiative, the ministers discussed expanded engagement with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, aiming to empower Nigerian farmers with climate-smart agriculture techniques and resilience-building practices.
This partnership seeks to ensure that productivity gains achieved under ACReSAL are both scientifically robust and practically sustainable.
Recognizing the project’s proven record, discussions also focused on Additional Financing (AF) to scale restoration activities and reach more vulnerable communities. The ministers emphasized that this funding expansion is vital for accelerating the achievement of Nigeria’s climate resilience targets.
The meeting concluded with a collective affirmation that ACReSAL has evolved beyond a project into a national standard for multi-sectoral success.
Plans are now underway to establish a permanent agency to sustain project gains and ensure the resilience, productivity, and protection of Nigeria’s semi-arid landscapes for years to come.
The MTR is scheduled to take place in Kaduna State, with stakeholders including the three ministers, all commissioners and permanent secretaries from the 19 states and FCT, the World Bank, and other relevant partners.