The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB), has launched the Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), a €175 million initiative aimed at addressing gully erosion, flooding, and watershed degradation across 23 states.
The five-year project,seeks to scale up proven environmental interventions that protect farmlands and infrastructure, reduce flood risks, and improve livelihoods through sustainable land and water resource management.
The EIB facility financing the programme was approved in 2020.
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In his keynote address, the Minister of Environment and Chairman of the NEWMAP-EIB Steering Committee, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, described the launch as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s commitment to environmental protection and climate resilience.
He highlighted the growing threats posed by climate change, including severe flooding and erosion, stressing that the project provides Nigeria with “the tools to effectively combat these challenges.”
“This launch marks our determination to confront environmental degradation with innovation, transparency, and collaboration,”.
“With support from the European Investment Bank and our partners, Nigeria is strengthening its capacity for climate adaptation and sustainable growth.”
Building on the achievements of the World Bank-supported Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP-IDA), which ran from 2013 to 2022, the NEWMAP-EIB programme aims to deepen and expand interventions that previously helped mitigate erosion, enhance food security, and strengthen community resilience.
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The project will be implemented in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto States.
Key components include gully rehabilitation, watershed restoration, protection of agricultural land and critical infrastructure, and community-based livelihood support to promote sustainable resource management.
Minister Lawal expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises climate-smart, resilient cities.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Finance, the National Assembly, state governments, development partners, civil society organisations, and community leaders in bringing the project to fruition.
He called for transparency, strong oversight, and effective implementation to ensure lasting impact.
“This launch is a testimony to the power of collaboration and shared vision,” Lawal added, formally declaring the NEWMAP-EIB project open “to the glory of God and the benefit of humanity.”