National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of GGW Programme (GGWSAP), 2021- 2025

1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Location and Extent of Nigeria ..................................................................................................... 1

1.3 Biophysical Characteristics of Nigeria ........................................................................................... 2

1.4 Social Environment ....................................................................................................................... 5

1.5 Economic Characteristics .............................................................................................................. 6 CHAPTER TWO ..................................................................................................................... 8 Desertification and Land Degradation in the Drylands of Nigeria ..................................... 8

2.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 8

2.1 Defining the Nigerian Dry Region ...................................................................................................... 8

2.2 Extent of Desertification ................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Biophysical and Socio-Economic Characteristics of the drylands of Nigeria .................................. 10

2.4 Socio-economic Characteristics of the Nigeria Dryland .............................................................. 11 2.5 Desertification and Land Degradation in Nigerian Drylands .......................................................... 12 2.6 Status and Trend of Desertification and Land Degradation in GGW Frontline States .................... 12 2.7 Land Degradation and Poverty Nexus in the GGW Frontline States .............................................. 13 2.8 National Efforts to Address the Challenges of Desertification ..................................................... 133

2.9 Challenges and Constraints in Combating Desertification ............................................................ 164 CHAPTER THREE ..................................................................................... 18

3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 18

3.2 Rational for GGW........................................................................................................................................ 18

3.3 The Vision ........................................... .................. ....................................................................................... 18

3.4 The Mission ................................................................................................................................................. 18

3.5 Nigerian GGW Programme .......................................................................................................................18

3.6 Nigeria's five-year Strategic Action Plan for the Great Green Wall ....................................................19

3.7 Goal and Development Objectives .......................................................................................................... 20

3.8 Strategic Pillars of lntervention ................................................................................................. 190

3.9 Target of GGW Programme ....................................................................................................... 190

3.10 Status of Activities of GGW Programme/Situation Analysis of the NAGGW Operations ........... 200 ~ National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation ofGGW Programme, 2021- 2025 ,..._.,.!!I<

3.11 Rural Development .. ................................................................................................................. 204

3.12 Challenges in the Implementation of GGW Programme .......................................................... 206

3.13 Recommendation to the Identified Challenges .............................................................. ......... 246 CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................................................ 288 4.2 Objective of the 5-Year National Strategic Action Plan (2021- 2025) ..................................... 288 4.3 Strategic Objectives in Line with UNCCD Strategic Framework (2018 -2030) .......................... 288 4.4 Intervention States and Expected Outcomes of the Action Plan ................................................ 299 4.5 Identification and Description of the Main Priority Intervention Areas ....................................... 310

4.6 Logical Framework ........................................................................................................................ 311 CHAPTER FIVE .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.1

5.1 Guiding Priciple .................. ...................................................................................................................... .. 41

5.2 Stakeholder Engagement in NSAP Implementation ......... ................................... ............ ......... 411 5.3 National Mechanism and Institutional Arrangements for Implementation ................................. 422

5.4 Stakeholders and their Roles .................................................................................................... 422

5.5 Strengthening Organizational Capability .................................................................................. 477

5.6 Monitoring and Implementation of NSAP in Nigeria ................................................................ 488 CHAPTER SIX .................................................................................................................... 499

6.1 Communication Strategy ........................................................................................................... 499

6.2 Partnership Building ................................................................................. ............................................ 50

6.3 Resource Mobilization and Sustainable Sources of Funding for the NSAP .............................. 500 CHAPTER SEVEN .............................................................................................................. 53 2

7.0 Conclusion .................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.2

7.1 NSAP Validation Workshop ..................................................................................................................... 53 Bibliography ......................................................................................................................... 544 ii ~ National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation ofGGW Programme, 2021- 2025 ,..._.,.!!I< List of Tables Table

2.1 Aridity Zone in Nigeria 10

2.2 Population of Frontline States 13 3.1 2017 Seedling Production/State 24

3.2 Shelter Belt Establishment 2013 - 2015 & 2017- 2018 25

3.3 Wood lot Establishment 2013 - 2015 & 2017 2018 26

3.4 Community Orchard Establishment 2013 -2015 & 2017-2018 26

3.5 Number of Constructed Solar and Windmill Boreholes 28

4.1 Logical Framework of Programme Identified for the Implementation of GGWSSI in Nigeria 34 List of Figure Fig

1.1 Nigeria's Geopolitical Map 2

2.1 Aridity Zone of Nigeria 9

3.1 The Green Great Wall in Africa 20

3.2 The Eleven Frontline States of the GGW in Nigeria 21

3.3 Aridity Map of the Operational areas 21

3.4 Status of the Operational Areas of the GGW Programme 22 List of Plates Plates 1 Water sourcing from a NAGGW borehole in Kankere Community, Jigawa State 11 2 Fuelwood Extraction Site Tona, Danbatta Kano State 17 3 An Orchard in Lafiya Dukke Gombe State 27 4 Water Facility Provided for a Community in Jigawa State 28 iii ~ National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation ofGGW Programme, 2021 - 2025 ,..._.,.!!I< ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ABP Anchor Borrowers Programme AMCEN African Ministerial Conference on Environment AIDB African Development Bank AI Aridity Index AU African Union AZAP Arid Zone Afforestation Programs CBN Central Bank of Nigeria CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CILLS Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel CSOs Civil Society Organizations CT Tropical Continental Air Mass DDDA Department of Drought and Desertification Amelioration DLDD Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought EGRP Economic Growth Recovery Plan FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FEPA Federal Environmental Protection Agency FGN Federal Government of Nigeria FMARD Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development FRIN Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria GCF Green Climate Fund GEF Global Environment Facility GGW Great Green Wall GGWSAP Great Green Wall Strategic Action Plan GGWSSI Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative GM Global Mechanism HDI Human Development Index IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development ITCZ Inter Tropical Convergence Zone JICA Japanese International Cooperation Agency KM Kilometer LON Land Degradation Neutrality LGAs Local Government Areas MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreement MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies MT Tropical Maritime Air Mass NAGGW National Agency of the Great Green Wall NBS Nigerian Bureau of Statistics NHDS National Health Development Survey NEAP National Environmental Action Plan NEWMAP Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project NGOs Non-Governmental Organisations NIMET Nigerian Meteorological Agency NNJC Nigeria - Niger Joint Commission for Co-operation NSAP National Strategic Action Plan OPHDI Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiatives PPP Public Private Partnership REA Rural Electrification Agency RBDA River Basin Development Authority SDG Sustainable Development Goals SEAP States Environmental Action Plans SEPA State Environmental Protection Agency iv ~ National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation ofGGW Programme, 2021 - 2025 , . .._.,.!!I< SLM Sustainable Land Management UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNDP United Nation Development Program UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFI United Nation Forest Instrument UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization USAID United States Agency for International Development. WB World Bank WHO World Health Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization V CHAPTER ONE General Introduction

1.1 Background Nigeria is one of the countries impacted by the complex phenomena of desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) resulting in several economic, social and environmental challenges. The country is actively involved in addressing the impacts at local and national levels and participates in regional and global initiatives, including the fulfilment of various multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). The MEAs include the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), and United Nations Forest Instruments (UNFI). The country is committed to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in addressing DLDD and particularly SDG 15.3 1as well as substantial investment in Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) to achieve the SDG 12 and SDG I 03. The country fully keyed into the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiatives (GGWSSI) which was developed by the African Union in 2005 as a holistic Sustainable Land Management (SLM) approach to address the regional challenges of desertification . The National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of Great Green Wall Programme in Nigeria was developed in 2012 , as a consequent of several follow up actions. This initiative was based on eight main strategic pillars and activities as the operational tool to achieve sustainable land management in the desert prone dry region of Nigeria. It focused on ecosystem restoration and functioning, poverty reduction and improved livelihoods of the affected people. From the year 2012 when the GGWSAP was developed, several initiatives have taken place at the national and global spheres, which necessitated the review in order to bring the strategy in line with the PAN African Agency 5 year Strategic Action Plan (2019-2023), the UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework and the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests (2017-2030), provide guidelines towards achieving LDN Target and incorporate the relevant aspects of the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria.

1.2 Location and Extent of Nigeria Nigeria is situated approximately between Latitudes 4° and 14° North and Longitudes 2° i and 14° 30' East. The country is bordered on the west by the Republics of Benin and Niger; on the east by the Republic of Cameroon; on the north and northeast by Niger and Chad Republics and on the south by the Atlantic Ocean (Figure 1.1). The surface area of the country is approximately 923,768 km2 with a cultivable area of about 840,000 km2 (FMA&RD, 2015). The country has a coastline of about 853 km. 1 https://indicators.report/targets/15-3/ 2 https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goall 3 https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goallO 1 LEGEND D South South + 11 - South East - South West D Nonh Central D NonhEast , D NonhWest + + + + 300 0 300 600 Kil ometers 1"""""""1111111111111111iiiiiiiii~111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111'1iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Figure 1.1 Nigeria's Geopolitical Map (FGN, 2012)

1.3 Biophysical Characteristics of Nigeria The biophysical parameters of interest include Nigeria's climatic condition, geology, soil, landform, drainage and hydrology as well as vegetation cover and faunal distribution

1.3.1 Climate of Nigeria Nigeria's climate is influenced by strong latitudinal zones: from wet coastal region in the southern region which progressively changes to dry conditions as one moves northwards. These conditions result from the interaction of two air masses that oscillate annually across the country. One of the air masses is the relatively warm and moist tropical marine air mass (mT) which originates from the Atlantic Ocean and is associated with Southwest Trade Winds in Nigeria while the second one is the relatively cool, dry and relatively stable tropical continental air mass (cTs) that originates from the Sahara Desert and is associated with the dry, cool and dusty North-East Trade Winds (locally known as the Harmattan). Inter-Tropical Discontinuity (ITD) or the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is the boundary surface area between the two air masses. The ITD migrates north and south of the country bringing rainfall or dryness to different areas of the country at different times of the year. Roughly, its northward movement brings the wet season to all areas south of its location, while its southward migration brings the dry season to areas north of its location. Also, topographic relief plays a significant role in modifying local climate eminently felt around the Jos Plateau and along the eastern border highlands where the conditions are significantly cooler than the surrounding environment. 2 In the coastal and southeastern portions of Nigeria, the rainy season usually begins in February or March as moist Atlantic air, known as the Southwest Trade Winds, invade the country. The beginning of the rains is usually marked by the incidence of high winds and heavy but scattered squalls. The scattered quality of this storm rainfall is especially noticeable in the north in dry years, when rain may be abundant in some small areas while other contiguous places are completely dry. By April or early May in most years, the rainy season is underway throughout most of the area south of the Niger and Benue River Valleys. Farther north, it is usually June or July before the rains really commence. The peak of the rainy season occurs in August across most of northern Nigeria. This is the period when air from the Atlantic Ocean covers the entire country. In southern regions, this period marks the August 'dip' in precipitation. Although rarely completely dry, this dip in rainfall, which is especially marked in the southwest, can be useful agriculturally, because it allows a brief dry period for grain harvesting. From September through November, the northeast trade winds generally bring a season of clear skies, moderate temperatures, and lower humidity for most of the country. From December through February, however, the northeast trade winds blow strongly and often bring with them a load of fine dust from the Sahara. These dust-laden winds, known locally as the Harmattan, often appear as dense fog and cover everything with a layer of fine particles. The Harmattan is more common in the north but affects the entire country except for a narrow strip along the southwest coast. An occasional strong Harmattan, however, can sweep as far southern zone of the country, providing relief from high humidity and pushing clouds of dust southwards to the sea. Given this climatological cycle and the size of the country, there is a considerable range in total annual rainfall across Nigeria, both from south to north and, in some regions, from east to west. The greatest total precipitation is generally in the southeast, along the coastal area of Bonny and east of Calabar, where means annual rainfall is more than 4,000 millimetres. Most of the rest of the southeast receives between 2,000 and 3,000 millimetres of rain per year, and the southwest receives lower total rainfall, generally between 1,250 and 2,500 millimetres per year. Mean annual precipitation in Lagos is about 1,900 millimetres; at Ibadan, only about 140kilometers north of Lagos, mean annual rainfall drops to around 1,250 millimetres. Moving northwards from Ibadan, mean annual rainfall in the west is in the range of 1,200 to 1,300 millimetres. The Guinea Savana starts in the middle belt or southern part of northern Nigeria. It is distinguished from the Sudan Savana because it has more trees whereas the Sudan Savana trees and rainy seasons decline correspondingly in heights as one moves northwards. Temperatures throughout Nigeria are generally high; diurnal variations are more pronounced than seasonal ones. Highest temperatures occur during the dry season; rains moderate afternoon highs during the wet season. Although average temperatures vary little from coastal to inland areas, inland areas, especially in the northeast, have greater extremes. There, the temperature reaches its highest peak before the onset of the rains and drop to its lowest level during an intrusion of cool air from the north from December to February.

1.3.2 Geology, Landform and Soils The geology of Nigeria is dominated by igneous structures that form most of the highlands and hills. The rocks of the Basement Complex, mainly of igneous origin, are encountered in over 60% of the surface area. Younger granites are intruded into these rocks on the Jos 3 Plateau and environs. Volcanic rocks are also extruded on to the surface in places such as Jos Plateau and Adamawa Highlands. Areas of sedimentary formations are evident around the coastal belt, the Niger-Benue Trough, the southeastern scarp, the Sokoto-Rima Basin; and the Chad Basin. The landforms can simply be classified into highlands, plateaus, hills, plains and river valley systems. Suffice it to state that the landforms are more deeply dissected in the southern parts than in the northern parts. Indeed, except for the Eastern Highlands in Adamawa area and the Jos Plateau, basins characterized by broad gently sloping plains dominate the northern half of Nigeria. An extensive section of this area is identified as the High Plains of Hausa land (Duo, 1970). The geology and the geomorphological processes that shaped the landforms have greatly influenced the soils. The major soil types in Nigeria, according to the FAO (1999) soil taxonomy legends are fluvisols, regosols, gleysols, acrisols, ferrasols, alisols, lixisols, cambisols, luvisols, nitosols, arenosols, and vertisols. These soil types vary in their potential for agricultural use. None of the soils is rated as Class 1 with high productivity by the FAO. Indeed, over 48% of Nigerian soils fall into classes 4 and 5. These are mainly vertisols, alisols, acrisols, ferrasols, and arenosol. These soils usually have low productivity due to inadequate moisture retention capacity and low organic matter. Except for the ferrasols, they are the most dominant types found in the northern dry parts of the country.

1.3.3 Drainage and Hydrology There are three major drainage systems in the country. These are the River Niger drainage system; the coastal drainage system and the Lake Chad inland drainage system. The River Niger drainage system consists of the River Niger and its tributaries, prominent among which are: the Benue, the Sokoto- Rima, the Kaduna, the Gongola and the Anambra. The Lake Chad inland drainage system draws the following inflowing rivers from Nigeria: the Komadougou-Yobe (with headstreams including Hadejia, Jama'are and Misau) and the Yedseram. However, the Chari and Lagone Rivers from the Central African Republic constitute the most important inflow. The coastal drainage system consists of rivers and short streams draining directly into the Atlantic Ocean. Two sub-sets of this system can be recognized. There is the eastern system consisting of rivers and streams east of the Niger Delta such as the Cross, Imo, Qua Thoe and Kwa Rivers. The western system consists of the Ogun, Osun, Owena and Benin Rivers. The total area of inland water bodies is estimated to be slightly over 12 million hectares (Ita et. al., 1985). The hydrology of the country is influenced by the geologic structure. Areas of igneous structure are dominated by surface runoff while the areas of sedimentary formation are characterized by groundwater retention. Most of the Chad Basin and the Sokoto-Rima Basin in the drier north are associated more with groundwater than surface water.

1.3.4 Vegetation Over several decades, the nation's land use pattern and vegetation cover have been greatly altered by human activities and climatic conditions. The main drivers of land use and vegetation changes are farming, logging, grazing, hunting, urbanization, road construction and other development activities accentuated by the demands of a rapidly increasing population. Based on the climatic conditions, 4 floristics compositions and other biophysical factors, the main vegetation types in the country consist of the mangrove and freshwater swamps, the lowland rain forest, the derived savanna, the Guinea Savanna, the Sudan Savanna and the Sahel in a south-north transect. Between the lowland Rainforest belt and the Guinea Savanna is the modified vegetation transition consisting of light deciduous forest and derived Savanna. The Sudan zones form most of the drylands of Nigeria and are known as the Arid/Semi-arid Zone or the sudano-sahelian zone The mangroves/swamps and the lowland Rainforest, constitute the country's main source of wood. The derived Savanna zone, about 250 km wide, was once the northern part of the forest zone has been transformed by natural and anthropogenic activities into Savanna vegetation types mainly of deciduous trees and grassesThe Sudan Savanna accounting for more than 25% of the land area of the country is expanding into the Guinea Savanna belt. This zone constitutes the main source of fodder and grazing land for livestock. However agricultural extensification and practices, human habitation and extreme climatic variations combine to reduce the grazing areas and degrade the zone, including changes in the adaphic and biotic components of the environment.

1.4 Social Environment The social environment entails the status of the country' s population and ethnic diversity, urbanization, health and poverty indexes.

1.4.1 Population and Ethnic Diversity The 2006 Population and Housing Census puts Nigeria' s population at 140.43 million with a national growth rate estimated at 3.2 percent per annum. Nigeria operates a federal system of government consisting of 36 States and a Federal Capital Territory, and a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society. Its people consist of over 200 ethnic groups, speaking about 395 languages and dialects. The major ethnic group include Hausa and Fulani, Yoruba, lgbo (Ibo), ljaw, Kanuri, lbibio, Bini and Tiv. English is Nigeria official language.

1.4.2 Urbanization Nigeria has an alarming rate of urbanisation with a 4.3% annual rate of change. About 49.52 percent of her population was estimated to be living in urban areas and cities by 2017. The country hosts five of the continent' s 30 largest cities and is estimated to have the biggest urban population on the continent (United Nations (UN), 2014). The rural-urban migration is a major socio-cultural and economic challenge in the country.

1.4.3 Health Situation The Nigeria' s Human Development Index (HDI) is not encouraging. It is similar to what obtains in other sub-Saharan African countries though. For example, the under-5year mortality of 132 per 1000 live births is one of the highest globally as compared to 127 per 1000 live births in other sub-Saharan countries and a global average of 60 per 1000 live births (National Health and Development Survey (NHDS), 2018). This high rate in Nigeria might be attributed to a low immunization rate of some key childhood diseases as cited in the WHO report (WHO, 2018). Lack of immunization to diseases such as measles and polio is the leading cause of death in Africa. Similarly, the country holds one of the largest maternal mortality ratios of over 800 per 100,000 live births as compared to a regional ratio of 620/100,000 live births and a global average of 260/100,000 live births (WHO, 2015). This can be 5 argued to be attributed to the low rate of antenatal care visits of 45% and a proportion of only 39% of births being attended to by skilled health personnel (WHO, 2010). However, there are large disparities in accessibility amongst different population groups in the country. One can argue the influence of traditional beliefs and lack of accessibility to health facilities either due to unavailability or distance, to be responsible for the low percentage ratio in rural areas

1.4.4 Poverty Large pockets of Nigeria's population still live in poverty, without adequate access to basic services, and are not benefitting from more inclusive development policies. The lack of job opportunities is at the core of the high poverty levels, of regional inequality, and of social and political unrests in the country. Inequality in terms of income and opportunities has been growing rapidly and has adversely affected poverty reduction. "The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHDI) reported that the proportion of people who are multi- dimensionally poor in Nigeria has remained constant at just over 50% over the past decade (up to 2017). However, the actual number of people who are multi-dimensionally poor increased from 86 million to 98 million over the same period. Also, important to note from the report is that when compared to the national poverty line which measures income/consumption, a larger proportion of Nigerians (51%) are multi-dimensionally poorer than those that are income poor (46%)". 4

1.5 Economic Characteristics The major economic base of Nigeria are in the agricultural, commercial (including e-commerce) and manufacturing sectors.

1.5.1 Agriculture Although the oil sector provides most of the nation's foreign exchange earnings, agriculture remains the base of the Nigerian economy, providing the main source of livelihood for most Nigerians. In addition, agriculture provides the main stimuli to the country's economic growth even though the sector is characterized by a majority of small farm holdings and low productivity due to the available technology. The contribution of agriculture dominated other sectors' contribution to the GDP. About 70% of the population is engaged in agricultural production and this provides subsistence for two- thirds of Nigerians who are low-income earners within diverse agro-ecological zones. While the northern part is most suitable for the production of cereals such as sorghum, maize, millet, groundnut, cowpea and cotton, the Middle Belt and the south are best for production of tubers such as cassava, yam, cocoyam and other crops like plantain as well as maize. In addition to crops, the country is also involved in the production of livestock, and rich in livestock, fisheries, forestry and wildlife resources. The Nigeria fisheries sub-sector contributes about 3-4 percent to the country' s annual GDP and is an important contributor to the population's nutritional requirements, constituting about 50 percent of animal protein intake. The sub-sector generates employment and income for a significant number of artisanal fishermen and small scale traders. Although capture fisheries has now been declining, Nigeria still has a big potential in both marine and freshwater fisheries including aquaculture. In spite of this high potential, domestic fish production still falls far below the total annual fish demand, 4 https://www. ng. u nd p.org/content/ n igeria/en/home/ presscenter/ pressreleases/2019 /new-data-cha Ilenges- traditiona 1-notions-of-rich-a nd-poor-.htm I 6 which was estimated at 2.7 million metric tons per year in 2016. As a result, the country imports about 70 percent of the fish consumed. One of the priority value chains targeted for development is the Nigerian National Aquaculture Strategy Plan has just been finalized with the assistance of FAO to guide support for the value chain. Livestock development is an important component of Nigeria's agricultural sector with abundant social and economic potentials. About 60 percent of the ruminant livestock population is found in the country's semi-arid zone and mostly managed by pastoralists. Domestic production of livestock products is far below the national demand, resulting in large imports of livestock and livestock products. Except for eggs, the domestic production of animal products is less than half the demand for beef, mutton and goat meat, while for milk and pork products it is less than a quarter of the demand. About 30 percent of live animals slaughtered in Nigeria are imported from neighbouring countries. Like other subsectors, livestock industry development is constrained by low productive breeds, inadequate access to feeds and grazing lands, frequent farmer-pastoralist conflicts, lack of processing facilities and low value addition, and low technical inputs in the management of the animals, including diseases.

1.5.2 Commerce and Industrial Growth The rapidly increasing Nigeria population presents a very important market in Africa South of the Sahara, a fact not lost on the world. The commercial activities in some State Headquarters, particularly Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Aba have influenced high rural-urban migration. A few other urban areas have emerged as great commercial centres. Some of these commercial centres are also industrial growth poles with the Lagos-Ibadan industrial axis leading the pack. On the bright side, people migrating from the frontline zone to the commercial centre might reduce pressure on land degradation. However, this also means that there is a reduction in manpower to tackle desertification with land management practices. In addition to the commercial growth of Nigeria, there has been a phenomenal increase in the volume of online financial transactions in Nigeria. Nigeria has integrated the electronic payment system into its financial system, a step that has reduced the flow of physical cash in the economy. Businesses in the country have taken their means of communicating and trading with their consumers to the online space.

1.5.3 Manufacturing Industrialization is also on the rise in Nigeria as industry contributed 19 percent to Nigeria GDP in 2011 compared to 15 percent of crude oil while the contributions of two other industrial sector components, solid minerals and manufacturing, stood at 0.4 percent and 4 percent, respectively. 7 CHAPTER TWO Desertification and Land Degradation in the Drylands of Nigeria

2.0 Introduction The northern region of Nigeria constitutes a large landmass with a substantial part of its area extending into the Sudano-Sahelian belt, which, together with the neighbouring northern Guinea Savanna constitutes part of the drylands of the country.

2.1 Defining the Nigerian Dry Region The drylands of the country constitute the Sudan and Sahel vegetation types in the north of latitude 10°N comprising eleven States (11), namely Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara States. This part of the country is characterized by its vulnerability to drought, desertification and land degradation as well as sand dunes formation in the extremities of the zone. Most of Northern Nigeria falls within the Sahel and Sudan ecological zones - Dryland. The areas are prone to recurrent droughts in one form or the other (Nyong et al., 2007). The wet season hardly lasts more than five months. The annual total rainfall is usually less than 1000 mm and it is very variable, usually unreliable with shifting dates of onset and cessation. The average annual temperature is about 26°C or hotter. The potential evaporation is three times more than the total annual rainfall. The zone occupies about 56,890.0lsqkm or 6.16% of the total land area of the country. The semi-arid zone is the driest part of Nigeria with a variable and unreliable rainfall of no more than 600mm per year (NRI 1995). Temperatures are high throughout the year, with hot season temperatures ranging between 39°C and 40°C under the shade. The zone, topographically is characterized by sandy flat plain ranging from 470m to 240m above sea level and is affected by cyclic fluctuations in Lake Chad levels and advances and recessions of the desert (NRI 1995).

2.2 Extent of Desertification Desertification process is experienced in almost all parts of the desert prone states. It has been estimated that between 50% and 75% of Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara States in Nigeria are being affected by desertification. These states, with a population of over 60 million people account for about 35% of the country's total land area (Okaiyeto 0. P and Lamidi O.S, 2005). The consequences of desertification are experienced over the country through transhumance, rural-urban migration, farmers and herders clashes, displacement of settlements and means of livelihoods, among others. 8 fl. '·'- - National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation ofGGW Programme, 2021- 2025 •'Ol"I "'"" AR!PITY .l ON E§. OF f;JJ.G ERU~ .....-w ..,,,...... ,..,.,,.. T11J"'Cl,'Q""fit ,'f'J"'l"Q"ft ,,~ 0 1~ 270 300 - c::::::i· -~ ~90----=====-- - -K~ l'r.r'I[ ....... "'"" ■-- - ,_ u-,;,n '"'"' '""" """' 9 National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of GGW Programme, 202 l - 2025 Fig 2.1 Aridity Zone of Nigeria Table 2.1 Aridity Zone of Nigeria Affected State Land Aridity Aridity Dryland Area %State % National State Area Zone Index (AI) (sqkm) Land Land Area (sqkm) Area Kebbi 36,985 Dry Sub - 0.50-0.65 6,382 17 0.69 Humid Sokoto 27,825 Dry Sub - 0.50-0.65 23,440 84 2.54 Humid Zamfara 37,931 Dry Sub - 0.50-0.65 6,236 16 0.68 Humid Katsina 23,561 Dry Sub - 0.50-0.65 8,698 36.2 0.94 Humid Kano 20,280 Dry Sub - 0.50-0.65 1,112 5.48 0.12 Humid Jigawa 23,287 Semi - 0.20-0.50 5,689 24.43 0.62 Arid Dry Sub - 0.50-0.65 7,471 32.08 0.81 Humid Bauchi 49,119 Dry Sub - 0.50-0.65 8,312 16.92 0.90 Humid Yohe 46,609 Semi - 0.20-0.50 23,897 51.27 2.59 Arid Dry Sub - 0.50-0.65 16,686 35.80 1.81 Humid Borno 72,609 Semi - 0.20-0.50 27,308.01 37.61 2.96 Arid Dry Sub - 0.50-0.65 38,941.32 53.64 4.22 Humid Total 338,206 174,172.33 51.50 18.85

2.3 Biophysical and Socio-Economic Characteristics of the drylands of Nigeria The dryland of Nigeria is characterized by distinct biophysical features . The major climatic feature of the region is the alternating wet and dry seasons alternatively called, rainy and dry seasons (Oguntoyinbo, Areola & Filani, 1978). This is as a result of the migration of the ITCZ. This line is formed by the meeting of the Tropical Maritime Air mass (TM) which is wet and the Tropical Continental Air mass (TC) which is dry. The average annual rainfall in dryland of Nigeria varies from 500mm in the northeastern part to 1000mm in the southern sub-area, but it is unreliable in many parts. The pattern of rainfall in the region is highly variable in spatial and temporal dimensions with an inter-annual variability of between 15 and 20 percent (Liman, Idris and Mohammed, (2014). A short period (about 3-4 months) of rains and a long period of dry spell are experienced in the area. The rainfall regimes are characterized in those few months by the high severity of intermittent and violence of storms. The region is prone to short intermittent but sometimes intense and persistent periods of drought as experienced in the early 1970s. The drought of the 1970s resulted in serious environmental, social and economic impact (Buba 2014). The dryland is associated with high surface 10 water hence the greater reliance on extraction of groundwater sources through boreholes and hand dug well though unsustainably for domestic and other uses. Plate 1: Water sourcing from a NAGGW borehole in Kankere community Jigawa State Those without the resources to exploit groundwater depend on nearby streams and rivers. Unfortunately, most of the streams are polluted with industrial and agricultural wastes posing severe health challenges. The soils in most parts of the dryland are well drained but sandy low in soil organic matter and characterized by low water holding capacity. However, the "fadama" or alluvial soils are fine-textured with a higher organic matter content and relatively higher water-holding capacity and productivity. The zone supports most of the livestock population in the country. There are increasing incidences of pastoralists-farmers clashes due to resource use

2.4 Socio-economic Characteristics of the Nigeria Dryland The dryland areas ofNigeria have been inhabited and cultivated for centuries. Over 80 percent of the population is involved in farming activities. Many of the others are involved in public service employee while some engaged in the few manufacturing jobs. The farming activities are majorly cropping and animal husbandry and some limited ones in the fishing industry. The semi-arid areas, with comparatively short rainy seasons, are where cereals and grain legumes are the most successful crops. For example, people in Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Bomo Yohe and Bauchi dominantly cultivate millet, cowpeas, groundnuts, sorghum and sesame. These region are area were livestock are important for income generation and those depending on livestock business value chain (Famine Early Warning Systems Network, 2018). In these zones, along with other zones across the north, grazing becomes scarce as the long dry season progresses, and thousands of animals, and cattle in particular, are 11 trekked south yearly for seasonal distance grazing (where unfortunately their tendency to stray on to cultivated fields has caused serious and increasing conflict between farmers and herders).

2.5 Desertification and Land Degradation in Nigerian Drylands Land degradation refers to a temporary or permanent decline in the productive capacity of the land, or its potential for environmental management (Scherr, 2000). The land degradation and desertification phenomena in the dryland zones are caused by various factors, including deforestation, overgrazing, poor land management, mining activities and land pollution. Desertification and land degradation are very serious environmental challenges in the Sahelian countries of Africa including Nigeria. They lead to hunger and poverty, drive unemployment, forced migration and conflicts, while increasing the risk of extreme weather-related to climate change (FAO, 2019). Desertification and land degradation is an environmental challenge in the Nigeria's dryland, these phenomena are thought to have both anthropogenic and natural causes. The challenges are further exacerbated by the growing rapid population (about 37.42% growth between 2006 and 2016) and land use pattern (urbanization, agriculture, felling of trees for fuel wood etc.) in the area that puts pressure on the land and vegetation resource in the zone.

2.6 Status and Trend of Desertification and Land Degradation in GGW Frontline States Nigeria loses about 350,000 ha of land every year to desertification process and other land and forest degradation activities and the impacts are manifested on the environment and general livelihoods (Nwafor, 2006). According to the desertification map of the world produced by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), about 15% of Nigeria land is prone to desertification (Emodi, 2013). However, Northern Nigeria is more susceptible to land degradation and bears the greatest impact of drought and desertification in Nigeria. Desertification around the frontline states has been pointed out as potent symbols in Nigeria of the global environmental crisis. Over the years, Nigeria has been tackling the problem of desertification the best way it could. However, increasing population and changing land use in the country and the front line states, in particular, have aggravated the areas' susceptibility to drought, land degradation and desertification. Increased population and higher demand for energy has resulted in high fuel wood demand as electricity and other sources are not available (Maconachie et al 2009) and this further resulted in the loss of vegetative cover (Orimoogunje & Afisat 2015). Also, people remove trees from the land in converting it to other uses-exposes the surface to the unrelenting extremes of climate and breaks down the thin mantle of productive topsoil. In addition, expansion and intensification of agriculture are the primary reasons for conversion. Much of the modest gain in agricultural productivity achieved in states like Borno, Katsina, Jigawa and Sokoto have come from the expansion of the agricultural frontier. Often soils too marginal to sustain production for more than a few years without fairly intense soil conservation measures and fertilization. Thus, desertification remains a challenge in the front line states and there is an urgent need for up-to-date information on the rate and severity of the menace. Table 2.2: Population of the Frontline States States Land Population (2006) Projected 2019 Population Area Km2 %of Population Density/Km2 Population Density/Km2 Nigeria Bauchi 49,119 5.3 4,653,066 95 6,480,790 132 12 Gombe 18,768 2.0 2,365,040 126 3,394,028 176 Borno 70,890 7.67 4,171,104 59 5,809,514 82 Yohe 45,502 4.93 2,321,339 51 3,233,161 71 Kano 20,131 2.18 9,401 ,288 467 13,094,114 650 Jigawa 23,154 2.51 4,361,002 188 6,074,004 262 Katsina 24,192 2.62 5,801,584 240 8,080,446 334 Sokoto 25,973 2.81 3,702,676 143 5,157,087 199 Kebbi 36,800 3.98 3,256,541 88 4,535,710 123 Zamfara 39,762 4.3 3,278,873 82 4,566,814 115 Total/Average 354,291 38.35 43,312,513 122 60,325,668 170 Source: Annual Abstract of Statistics (2012)

2.7 Land Degradation and Poverty Nexus in the GGW Frontline States An average rural Nigerian has always interacted with the natural environment for his subsistence by way of extraction, processing and consumption of natural resources to prosper and meet his economic needs. Rapid population growth, inadequate food production, poor access to social services and increasing degradation of natural resources have created a vicious circle of poverty and environmental degradation, especially in rural areas of the frontline states. In addition, environmental degradation and poverty are interlinked. This results in a vicious cycle in which poverty causes the degradation of the environment, and the degradation perpetuates more poverty. As rightly observed by Fabra (2002) ' ... poverty and environmental degradation are often bound together in a mutually reinforcing vicious cycle, and thus human rights abuses related to poverty can be both cause and effects of environmental problems'. Environmental degradation lowers the labour productivity of the poor by diverting their abilities into ventures that eventually place more strain on the environment. Therefore, the link that exists between environmental and natural resources and poverty makes it more imperative to work out a resolution to minimize the desertification and land degradation threats in this region of the country as it comes with a lot of socio-economic and security implications. To work out such resolution, at the closing plenary of the fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 14) 9-10 September, 2019, highlighted the points to note in all efforts to make a wholesome land restoration as follows: • Land restoration is the cheapest solution to climate change and biodiversity loss; • Land restoration makes business sense if regulations and incentives to reward investment are in place; • Drought preparedness and response are critical in the face of climate change; and • To put people first is to ensure gender balance, engage youth, and secure land rights.

2.8 National Efforts to Address the Challenges of Desertification In Nigeria, several policies and programmes have been implemented by governments to combat desertification (Madugu, 2009). However, the problem is rather aggravating in the environment where DLDD and the associated environmental impacts are treated more or less on strict sectorial basis, without a coordinating mechanism or an integrated approach that will bridge the gap and promote synergy among the various land use sectors. Some programmes before the Great Green Wall were the Arid Zone Afforestation Project (AZAP) in 1977, the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) in 1987, and Federal Environmental Protection and State Environmental Protection Agencies (FEPA/SEPAs). Although, the policies and the programmes have not completely achieved their purposes they remain laudable because they were put in place to promote sustainable land 13 management and enhance environmental sustainability in the context of national development. Specifically, these efforts focused on (i) promoting an enabling policy environment for desertification control; (ii) improving institutional and capacity building; (iii) establishment of political and legal framework; (iv) partnership building and participation in global initiatives as well as (v) implementation of special initiatives.

2.8.1 Promoting an Enabling Policy Environment Having realized that desertification is associated with multi-sectoral problems, the country through policies and measures attempt to provide national response to the multi-facetted impacts of DLDD on national development objectives. The UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also provides opportunities for Nigeria to institute a new road map in tackling environment degradation. These goals capture the essence of development in any nation. Therefore, in Nigeria, the prospect of achieving SDGs is expected to be pursued in an all-inclusive and people centered manner. This can be achieved through institutional and policy strengthening to support programme and projects via conservation of the environment, with emphasis on halting land degradation, combating desertification and mitigating impacts of droughts. Some key policies and plans of direct relevance to DLDD in the country include: (i) National Policy on the Environment, 1999, (ii) National Drought and Desertification Policy, (iii) National Drought Preparedness Plan, and (iv) National Action Plan to Combat Desertification (NAP). The NAP identifies long-term integrated strategies that focus simultaneously on improved productivity of land and on the rehabilitation and sustainable management of land and water resources. Other relevant policies and plans include (a) Nigeria National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) and States Environmental Action Plans (SEAPs), (b) Nigeria Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy, (c) National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action for Climate Change, (d) National Forestry Action Plan, (e) National Conservation Strategy, (f) National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), (g) National Resources Conservation Action Plan, (h) National Policy on Agricultural Policy (NPA), and (i) National Water Resources Master Plan (NWRMA).

2.8.2 Institutional and Capacity Development Several MDAs have been set up to tackle desertification among other environmental challenges in Nigeria. They include the National Committee on Arid Zone Afforestation Programme (AZAP), Department of Rural Development and River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), Federal Environment Protection Agency (FEPA), State Environmental Protection Agencies (SEPAs) and Department of Drought and Desertification Amelioration (DDDA) among others. The National Committee on Arid Zone Afforestation Programme (AZAP) was set up in 1977 by the Federal Government with the responsibility of in-depth analysis of the problems of desertification and to draw up a suitable programme of afforestation geared towards checking desert encroachment. The Committee only lasted eight years and its functions were transferred to Department of Rural Development and River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) in the then Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development. By 1987, the RBDAs were reorganized and their afforestation functions transferred to the Federal Department of Forestry in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) establishment by Decree 58 of 1988 to address the multifarious environmental problems (including drought and desertification) and protecting the Nigerian Environment. The Federal Environmental Protection Agency also facilitated the 14 establishment of State Environmental Protection Agencies (SEPAs) in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Department of Drought and Desertification Amelioration (DDDA) was created when the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) was established in 1999 to ensure a re-engineered focus to rehabilitation and restoration of desert and desert-like conditions in the arid and semi-arid zone. Another transformative institutional reform was the creation of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NlMET) in 2003 from a departmental status in the Ministry of Aviation. The apex national environmental policy body in the country is the National Council on Environment (NCENV), made up of representatives of governments at the Federal and State levels, academia and other stakeholders. The Council meets to decide on national policies and measures for implementation and adoption at the state and local government levels subject to local circumstances.

2.8.3 Legal Framework Nigeria is a signatory to many multilateral environmental agreements on DLDD, Forestry, Climate Change, etc. The 1988 dumping of toxic waste from Italy in Koko Port in the then Bendel State raised national consciousness on environmental issues which resulted in the establishment of the defunct Federal Environmental Protection Agency with mandate for the enforcement and execution of environmental policies and legislations. Section 20 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended provides an overarching direction for the protection of the environment. It provides that the "State shall protect and improve the environment and safeguard the water, air and land, forest and wild life of Nigeria". Many laws and regulatory measures have been put in place to ensure effective environmental management. Notable among these are: (i) National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Establishment Act 2007, (ii) Environmental Impact Assessment Act Cap El2 LFN 2004 (which sets out the general principles, procedures and methods of Environmental Impact Assessment in various sectors); (iii) National Park Service Act -Cap N65 LFN 2004 (for conservation and protection of natural resources (wildlife and plants) in national parks; (iv) Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act-Cap E9 LFN 2004 (conservation of wild life and protection of threatened and endangered species); and (v) National Environmental (Desertification Control and Drought Mitigation) Regulations, 2011 made under the provisions of the NESREA Establishment Act,2007.

2.8.4 Building Partnership and Participation in Global Initiatives Nigeria Government has leveraged on the opportunities of involving Private Sector, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Donors in tackling the hydra-headed problem of desertification. They include a number ofNGOs that have been actively involved in the implementation of UNCCD in Nigeria, and some have participated in various negotiation processes. These national and international NGOs include the Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST), the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN), and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Other NGOs at the country level include Nigerian Field Society, Young Foresters Club, the Fauna Conservation Society, Ecological Society of Nigeria, Horticultural Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Environmental Society, and Nigerian Society for Biological Conservation, etc. At the international level, Nigeria has participated actively at meetings and activities of the UNCCD. The country submitted its First National Action Plan to Combat Desertification (NAP) to the Convention' s Secretariat in 2000 and has revised the NAP. The country is also engaged in a number 15 of bilateral and multilateral relations, which directly or indirectly relate to DLDD. These include (i) Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC); (ii) Nigeria - Niger Joint Commission for Co-operation (NNJCC); (iii) African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN); (iv) Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS); (v) Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS); (vi) United States Agency for International Development (USAID); (vii) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); (viii) Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA); (ix) Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA); (x) TerrAfrica; (xi) Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Nigeria received some financial and technical assistance from official development assistance and international donors. These include grants or loans from The World Bank (WB), African Development Bank (AIDB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), FAO, IUCN, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB)

2.8.5 Implementation of Special Programme and Project Initiatives Projects and programmes to curb desertification and environmental degradation have been directed towards the sustainable development and management of water, forestry, agriculture and energy resources. With respect to water, the RBDAs (e.g. Sokoto-Rima, Hadejia- Jama'are, Benue River, Niger River and Chad Basin Development Authorities) are actively involved in developing irrigation infrastructure, provision of portable water for communities and watering points in rangelands. The Government of Nigeria, with loans from the World Bank has been implementing the National Fadama Development Programme for the purposes of optimally utilizing the water resources of the wetlands of Nigeria for small-scale irrigation farming This is to enhance sustainable livelihoods in several rural populations and achievement other sustainable development objectives. Another example of a national intervention project is the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) for the control of menace of water erosion and has also been involved in tree planting activities. The Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched in 2015 is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and smallholder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities. The programme thrust of the ABP is the provision of farm inputs in kind and cash(for farm labour) to smallholder farmers to boost production of these commodities, stabilize inputs supply to agro- processors and address the country's negative balance of payments on food. At harvest, the SHF supplies his/her produce to the Agro-processor (Anchor) who pays the cash equivalent to the farmer's account. On meeting the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources for the rural populations the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was established with the responsibility of providing electricity to rural communities in Nigeria through the provision of reliable electric power supply in a way that would allow a reasonable return on investment through appropriate tariff that is economically responsive and affordable by the average rural customer.

2.9 Challenges and Constraints in Combating Desertification. There are several challenges to the successes of the numerous efforts to combat desertification in Nigeria thus limiting the expected impacts of the efforts. The fragile semi-arid land of Northern Nigeria is unyielding to the efforts to reclaim it from desertification, due to the threats posed by the growing poor population in the area. The increasing population has led to over-exploitation of the fragile natural environment for subsistence living. Fuel wood extraction remain a threat to vegetation enhancement initiative in the area (Plate 2). Also, the livestock population is beyond the carrying capacity of the currently unmanaged drylands resulting in overgrazing and conflicts between herders and farmers over access to and use of land and water resources. 16 Plate 2: Fuel wood Evacuation from Extraction site in Tona, Danbatta LGA Kano State PART II: STRATEGIC APPROACH TO THE GREAT GREEN WALL IN NIGERIA 17 CHAPTER THREE Implementation of Great Green Wall Programme in Nigeria

3.1 Introduction The Great Green Wall (GGW) reflects the concern in Africa to address the issue of land degradation, desertification and biodiversity loss in the context of climate change. The initiative is a mechanism for the conservation and protection of natural resources to achieve sustainable development and particularly alleviate poverty in the Saharan and the Sahelian regions of Africa.

3.2 Rationale for the GGW It is expected that the initiative will help remove the recurrent humanitarian crises in the Sahel-Sahara sub-region, to the extent that children born in 2025 on-ward will know about past poor images only through history books. The Great Green Wall is seen as a symbol of hope in the face of one of the biggest challenges of our time (desertification). Launched in 2007, this game-changing initiative aims to restore Africa's degraded landscapes and, in the process, transform millions of lives in one of the world's poorest regions, the Sahel. The Great Green Wall is already boosting food security and resilience to climate change, whilst creating thousands of jobs for the many communities who live along its path, especially women and young people. Moreover, it promises to be a compelling solution to the many urgent threats that plague the people of this region - notably drought, famine, conflict and migration. A decade after it was launched, the initiative is already empowering local people not only to survive in this harsh environment, but to thrive once more.

3.3 The Vision The Great Green Wall is a bold vision of the leaders of the African Union to have green and fertile land for sustainable development in the dry land region that would be free of famine and images of malnourished children and starving livestock.

3.4 Mission The mission of the NAGGW is to halt and reverse land degradation, prevent depletion of biological diversity, ensure that by 2025, ecosystems are resilient to climate change and continue to provide essential services that would contribute to human welfare and poverty eradication.

3.5 Nigerian GGW Programme Nigeria has been Party to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) since 24 September 1997, and the alignment exercise is expected to address Nation's need to continue to fulfil its obligations under the Convention. Despite Nigeria rich renewable and non-renewable resources, poverty in Nigeria is widespread and rated among the world's worst. The poverty is directly linked to biodiversity loss and general environmental degradation. This is because rural livelihoods depend almost entirely on biodiversity. The region north of latitude 10°N is generally regarded as the most desertification prone area of the country and states within the region have often been described as desertification frontline states. They include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yohe and 18 Zamfara states, which cut across the North East and North West region of Nigeria (Figure 3.3). The main environmental problems in these drylands are recurrent droughts, land degradation and desertification as well as sand and dust storms. These contribute significantly .r to attenuation of food security, high rate of N r I OQ!0- 1 ',1'1'9 rural poverty, forced 0 -!1-U '" migration and social - q insecurity among others. Figure 3.2: The Eleven Frontline States of the GGW in Nigeria GREAT GREEN WALL OPERATIONAL AREA --=~•-=ci,o._ 0 o - -======l==---..., 0 ~ 11ometel"8 Figure 3.3: Aridity Map of Operational Areas of the GGW Programme

3.6 Nigeria's five-year Strategic Action Plan for the Great Green Wall The National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of the Great Green Wall (GGW) Programme in Nigeria was developed in 2012. As a key operational tool for the implementation of GGW, the Great Green Wall Strategic Action Plan (GGWSAP) identified eight main strategic pillars and activities to respond to rehabilitation needs of the degraded landscapes in the dry region of Nigeria focusing on ecosystem restoration and improved livelihoods of the affected people through sustainable management of land and water resources. 19

3.7 Goal and Development Objectives The GGWSAP for Nigeria is a five-year Strategic Action Plan with the goal to improve the wellbeing of the affected people and reduce their vulnerability to the impact of desertification amplified by climate change through improved use of land and other natural resources for sustainable development and support to climate-resilient infrastructure. The development objective is to combat land degradation and desertification in Nigeria in order to protect and restore ecosystems and essential ecosystem services that are key to reducing poverty, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The specific objectives include: i. developing and implementing an integrated approach to Sustainable Land Management (SLM) ii. rehabilitating degraded areas and ensuring the optimal use of land resources for the benefit of present and future generations, iii. developing and promoting sustainable agricultural and water management practices, iv. ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems, using appropriate techniques and technologies, v. improving information sharing and cooperation among stakeholders, v1. strengthening systemic and institutional capacity for enhanced desertification governance and resource mobilization, vii. improving scientific knowledge on desertification and drought phenomena, and viii. effective monitoring and evaluation for impact.

3.8 Strategic Pillars of Intervention The Strategic Action Plan Identifies eight (8) Pillars of Intervention to guide the implementation of the Programme and these include: • Pillar 1: Improvement of the management of land resources and their sustainable use • Pillar 2: Enabling policy, legal and institutional framework for sustainable land management and desertification control • Pillar 3: Improvement of critical infrastructure for enhanced and sustainable socio-economic development and environmental sustainability • Pillar 4: Enhancement of private sector investment in sustainable land management • Pillar 5: Sustainable financing for desertification control • Pillar 6: Effective Communication for improved land management • Pillar 7: Monitoring and Evaluation System • Pillar 8: Eco-regional approach for improved transboundary sustainable land management

3.9 Target of GGW Programme Within the Framework of the GGW Programme, degraded land in the dry region of the country will be rehabilitated for agricultural production and the livelihoods of over 20 million people will be improved by 2030.

3.10 Status of Activities of GGW Programme/Situation Analysis of the NAGGW Operations The NAGGW programmes adopt two-pronged approach. The first approach is based on projects that are set up to restore vegetation through afforestation and landscape restoration (programmes such and woodlots, shelterbelts and orchards), while the second approach is focused on rural development projects that affect the livelihood of the people, such as solar or windmill-powered boreholes, building skill acquisition centres for training of unemployed youths and women in various trades to 20 reduce poverty and introducing tree species that would also benefit the communities. This approach helps in a sustainable restoration of marginal lands and stop land degradation

3.10.1 Operational Activities The operational activities of the GGW in Nigeria include: ® Baseline Studies and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ® Community Mobilization, Sensitization and Awareness Campaign ® Afforestation and Land Management ® Promotion of Alternative Livelihoods ® Rural Infrastructure ® FAO Supported Action Against Desertification Project. ® Employment Generation

3.10.2 Executed Programmes and Projects The programmes of the agency include its Afforestation and Rural Development programme. A Afforestation Programme The NAGGW afforestation programme includes the following components • Seedling production • Establishment of Shelterbelts • Woodlot Establishment • Community Orchard Some of the Afforestation Achievement of GGW include: • Establishment of389.46km shelter belt • Establishment of264.7ha community woodlots • Establishment of250.5ha community orchards • Establishment of92 community tree nurseries • Identification of over 500 farmers to be trained and participate in the on farm natural regeneration project. On seedling production, in the year 2017 alone about 1,578,517 tree seedlings were produced, while in the year 2018 904,575 tree seedlings were produced for the establishment of shelterbelts, community woodlots and community orchards within the NAGGW operational areas as shown in Table 3.1. Bomo Neern, Eucalyptus, □ 9,146 □ 44,293 □ 9,454 1,550,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava 1i,,,,,..-----1 Yohe Neem, Eucalyptus, □ 3,204 □ 40,250 □ 8,530 1,550,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava Jigawa 1,550,000 21 Citrus, Date Palm and Guava I I Zamfara Neem, Eucalyptus, 32,664 155,560 84,700 250,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava Kebbi Neem, Eucalyptus, 72,354 186,450 111,540 250,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava Sokoto Neem, Eucalyptus, 50,828 186,450 108,570 1,550,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava □ Katsina Neem, Eucalyptus, 58,590 178,750 1,550,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava □ Kano Neem, Eucalyptus, 26,422 105,754 250,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava Adamawa Neem, Eucalyptus, 17,384 99,440 66,440 250,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava Gombe Neem, Eucalyptus, 31,248 99,440 66,440 250,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava Bauchi Neem, Eucalyptus, 13,720 105,754 55,880 250,000 Mango, Cashew, Citrus, Date Palm and Guava TOTAL 446,948 1,584,741 882,134 9,250,00 Source: NAGGW Annual Report 2017 and 2018 Establishment of Shelterbelts: Shelterbelts are linear plantings of multiple rows of trees or shrubs established for environmental purposes such as protecting farmsteads and livestock areas, saving energy, and to enhance wildlife habitat. Wildlife habitat is enhanced by providing travel corridors, nesting sites, food, and escape cover for many wildlife species. Establishment of Shelterbelt is a very important part of the NAGGW programme as it not only provides vegetation but also protects the community farms and settlements for the effects of desert encroachment and help increases carbon sequestration. In 2017, the NAGGW was able to establish 128.8Km of shelter belt to protect 7,728 ha offarmland land. Below is a table showing shelterbelt established in the years 2013-2015 and 2017- 2018. Table 3.2: Shelterbelts Establishment 2013 - 2018 22 Yobe 37 22 27 II 15 5 60 Ji awa I 28 II 22 II 30 II 20.5 17 60 Bomo Zamfara ~LIi 10 5 2 6 ~· II 25 15.3 14 5 10 60 Kebbi 42 22 30 22 10 20 Sokoto 10 22 22 22 13 60 Katsina 34 10 30 20 5 28 Kano 6 22 Total 187 132 185. 128.8 65 20 278 66 Source: NAGGW Annual Reports Year Woodlots Establishment: Woodlots in the context of combating desertification are established to meet some environmental quality objectives such as degraded land rehabilitation, land cover improvement, sources of fuelwood and other forestry products, and more recently carbon sequestration. Community woodlots are being established under the GGW programme, as one of the strategies to rehabilitate degraded lands, increase vegetation cover, enhance biodiversity, serve as sources of fuelwood and other forest products and enhance household income. Below are some statistics of the establishment of woodlots in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Kano states for the years 2013 - 2015 and 2017-2018. Table 3.3: Woodlots Establishment 2013 - 2018 Adamawa 20 20 33 25 20 30 Bauchi 20 4 35 29 30 Gombe 15 10 20 10 20 30 Kano 17.5 25.2 20 30 Jigawa 50 Total 35 50 74.5 95.2 89 170 Source: NAGGW Annual Reports Year Community Orchards: Community orchards are established to increase vegetation cover, boost household incomes and to help rural communities diversify their income. These orchards are shared resources and open to the whole community members, not just those playing a part in their management. Vegetable gardens on the other hands have also been established to improve the livelihoods of particularly the rural women. The fruit trees provide fruits which help to improve local nutrition. In 2017-2018, the Agency was able to establish 101.5 hectares of Orchards while in the years 2013 to 2015 they were able to establish 186 hectares. Table 3.4: Communi Orchard Establishment 2013 - 2018 States Communi Orchard Established 23 ~~ 2015 2017 2020 Adamawa 120131,~ 22 5 Bauchi 13 14 5 3 Bomu 5 3 Gombe 15 .) 3 Jigawa 12 5 3 Kano 15 4 10 3 Katsina 4 10 5 8 Kebbi 10 5 8 Sokoto 7 5 3 Yohe 25 29 5 3 Zamfara 6 3.5 3 3 Total 25 44 117 58.5 43 3 0 Source: NAGGW Annual Reports 2017 and 2018 Plate 3: An Orchard in Lafiya Dukku Gombe State

3.11 Rural Development The NAGGW rural development projects are designed to improve the livelihood of the rural people in such a manner that their vulnerability to the harsh environment is reduced. These projects are aimed at poverty alleviation, income generation, food security enhancement as well as resilience to climate change. Some of the projects' outcomes include the following: 24

3.11.1 Rural water supply: The NAGGW, between 2013 - 2018 constructed 167 boreholes to ameliorate the impact of drought, for domestic water use. The boreholes are also being used to provide water for the established plant nurseries, Orchards, vegetable gardens and other plantations. Over 300,000 people and 1,500,000 livestock are benefiting from these boreholes One of the major challenges that communities in the NAGGW states face is water supply deficit a consequence of climate change of the increasing climate change variability and uncertainty. It is important, therefore, that any development plan in this region makes adequate provisions and plan for communities to have access to potable water and other uses. 80% of the population in Nigeria drylands suffer from water shortages, this lack of water also affect livestock and crop agriculture. From 2013 - 2015, about 157 boreholes were constructed as sources of water to ameliorate the impact of drought and for domestic use, livestock, and irrigation. The boreholes are also being used to provide water for the established shelterbelts, orchards, woodlots, vegetable gardens and other plantations. In 2017 and 2018, the agency added ten additional boreholes and rehabilitated eight more. Over 300,000 people and 1,500,000 livestock are benefiting from these boreholes. Table 3.5: Number of Constructed Solar/Windmill Borehole State Solar/Windmill Powered Borehole Constructed 2013/2014 2015 2017 2018 Adamawa 6 3 1 Bauchi 6 3 1 2 Bomu 4 3 1 Gombe 6 3 1 1 Jigawa 12 9 Kano 6 3 Katsina 20 15 Kebbi 4 4 1 Sokoto 12 9 1 Yohe 12 9 1 Zamfara 4 4 Total 92 65 2 8 Source: NAGGW Annual Reports (2013 -2014; 2017, 2018 report) 25 Plate 4: Water Facility Provided for a Community in the Frontline State

3.11.2 Skill Acquisition Centres: Support for alternative livelihoods is one of the maJor components of the GGW Programme in Nigeria with the following specific objectives: • Diversification of income for the affected communities • Reduction of rural poverty • Generation of employment • Reduction of pressure on land resources and land degradation • Enhancement of rural economy • Curtailment of social unrest and forced migration To support and promote alternative livelihood activities in the part1c1pating commun1t1es, the NAGGW has set up five (5) new skill acquisition centers and training programme for trainees from various communities.

3.12 Challenges in the Implementation of GGW Programme Some challenges have been identified in the execution of the programme. These are outlined below: 1. Insecurity in some States in the drylands ii. The vandalization of field investments iii. Poor community participation 1v. Lack of financial contribution from States for the programme implementation v. Inadequate land in some states for project implementation vi. Weak institutional capacity at all levels. vii. All the Skill Acquisition Centres are not provided with accommodation

3.13 Recommendation to the Identified Challenges The following recommendations to address the implementation challenges include: 26 i. Provision of Counterpart Funding by the Participating States ii. Establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee to enhance synergy and technical support. iii. Provision of adequate land by States for Project Implementation 1v. Enhance Collaboration with Development Partners to improve Funding v. Routine maintenance of States and Zonal offices v1. Collaboration with NGOs, CBOs, and other civil society groups vii. Establishment of National Boundary Plantation. v111. Exploring possibilities of increasing domestic funding through intervention funds Consultations with relevant MDAs 27 CHAPTER FOUR Five (5) Year Strategic Action Plan (2021-2025) The five (5) YEAR NATIONAL STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN (NSAP), 2021 -2025 is a short-term measure intended to take forward the process of the country driven programme towards addressing the challenges of desertification, land degradation and drought in the drylands of Nigeria. It is based on priority interventions that would contribute to the restoration of ecosystem integrity, poverty reduction, food security, sustainable livelihoods and sustainable development in all its ramifications. NSAP is also part of the country's commitments to the implementation of the GGWSSI and other multilateral and bilateral environmental agreements. It is aligned to the actions and measures for the global implementation of the UNCCD, UNCBD, UNFCCC and SDGs The NSAP, 2021-2025 also leverages on the country's commitments to LDN Voluntary Targets. "The NSAP will further contributes to the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in addressing emission reduction as per the Climate Change Paris Agreement. The country commits to an unconditional emissions reduction of 20% below business as usual (BAU) and conditional emissions reduction of 45% below BAU by the year 2030 with international support in the form of finance, investment, and technology and capacity development.

4.2 Objective of the 5-Year National Strategic Action Plan (2021- 2025) The broad framework seeks to promote evidence-based participatory Sustainable Land Management (SLM) approaches towards improving the livelihoods of the affected people. On the outcome of the evaluation of past efforts of the GGWSSI, eight (8) activities were set out as objectives to be achieved within 2021-2025. The activities include: i. Reorienting stakeholders to adopt transformative measures to address DLDD 11. Harnessing the strength and capacity of stakeholders towards rehabilitating degraded areas and ensuring the optimal use of land resources for the benefit of present and future generations, iii. Developing and promoting agroforestry and sustainable water management practices, iv. Implementing community-driven ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation programmes as well as the protection and conservation of biodiversity based on sustainable techniques, v. Adopting modem technological tools to improve on the acquisition of quality, timely data and information sharing in collaboration with other users of data in the public and private sectors. vi. Strengthening systemic and institutional capacity to tap into the benefit of the carbon markets. vii. Integrating traditional and scientific knowledge in addressing the challenges of DLDD, and promoting mechanisms for effective monitoring and evaluation for impacts viii. Promoting gender mainstreaming in all measures and actions.

4.3 Strategic Objectives in Line with UNCCD Strategic Framework (2018 -2030) The need to align the NSAP strategies with United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 10-year Strategic Action Plan and Framework, National Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target and United Nations Framework for Climate Change (UNFCC) cannot be overemphasized. 28 The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the only legally binding international agreement on land issues. The Convention promotes good land stewardship. Its 196 Parties aim, through partnerships, to implement the Convention and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The end goal is to protect our land, from over-use and drought, so it can continue to provide us all with food, water and energy. By sustainably managing land and striving to achieve land degradation neutrality, now and in the future, we will reduce the impact of climate change, avoid conflicts over natural resources and help communities to thrive. The new UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework based on COP13 in Ordos, China is the most comprehensive global commitment to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in order to restore the productivity of vast swathes of degraded land, improve the livelihoods of more than 1.3 billion people, and to reduce the impacts of drought on vulnerable populations. "The Ordos Declaration reaffirms the contribution of ecological services to food security, peace and security ... It also recognizes the importance of addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity and addressing food security," The Conference also took action to address three new and emerging issues linked to increasing land degradation - drought, sand and dust storms and migration. This NSAP 2021-2025, thus adopts the 5 strategic objectives of the 2018-2030 UNCCD. It focuses on contributing to achieving the sustainable future that avoids, minimizes and reverses desertification, land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought and climate change towards achieving land degradation neutrality in the country as this is consistent with the objectives of the UNCCD and SDGs. The 5 strategic objectives are: 1. To improve the condition of the drylands ecosystems, combat desertification, land degradation, promote sustainable land management and contribute to land degradation neutrality expected impact 2. To improve the living conditions of affected populations 3. To mitigate, adapt to, and manage the effects of drought to enhance the resilience of vulnerable populations and ecosystems 4. To generate environmental benefits through effective implementation of the UNCCD 5. To mobilize substantial and additional financial and non-financial resources to support the implementation of the Convention by building effective partnerships at global and national levels. Also, this NSAP has relevance within national, regional, and international actions of the Paris Agreement, SDGs, and other related international development agenda. This is even more so as the linkages between land use, climate change, and biodiversity loss have continued to receive great awareness in the international circle.

4.4 Intervention States and Expected Outcomes of the Action Plan. The intervention states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states. Strategic Objective One: To improve the condition of drylands ecosystems in the country, combat desertification, land degradation, promote sustainable land management and contribute to land degradation neutrality Expected Impacts 29 i. Land productivity and related ecosystems services are maintained or enhanced. ii. The vulnerability of degraded ecosystems is reduced and the resilience of ecosystems is increased. iii. Community voluntary land degradation neutrality targets are set and adopted. Also, related measures are identified and implemented, and necessary monitoring systems are established. iv. Measures for sustainable land management and the combating of desertification, land degradation are shared, promoted and implemented. Strategic Objective Two: To improve the living conditions of affected populations Expected Impact 1. Good agricultural practices that guarantee food security and adequate access to water for people in affected areas are improved. ii. The livelihoods of people in the 11 affected states are improved and diversified. iii. Local people, especially women and youth, are empowered and participate in decision- making processes in combating desertification, land degradation and drought. iv. Migration forced by desertification and land degradation towards the other parts of the country is substantially reduced. Strategic objective three: To mitigate, adapt to, and manage the effects of drought to enhance the resilience of vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Expected Impact 1. Ecosystems' vulnerability to drought is reduced through community collaboration with stakeholders. ii. Communities' resilience to drought is increased via water harvesting techniques. Strategic objective four: To generate national and global environmental benefits through effective implementation of the UNCCD strategy. Expected Impact 1. Sustainable land management and the combating of desertification and land degradation contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and addressing climate change. ii. Synergies with local, state and national environmental actors are enhanced. 111. National commitments to environmental agreements and processes are enhanced. Strategic objective five: To mobilize substantial and additional financial and non-financial resources to support the implementation of the Convention by building effective partnerships at global and national level. Expected impact i. Adequate and timely public and private financial resources are mobilized and made available for combatting desertification in the drylands ii. International funds and support are utilized for implementing the objectives of the action plan iii. Evidence based framework are implemented, traditional and scientific knowledge are integrated to promote technology transfer, especially on favourable terms including concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed, and to mobilize other non-financial resources. 30

4.5 Identification and Description of the Main Priority Intervention Areas. The NSAP 2021-2025 is based on priorities and objectives determined by stakeholders in the drylands of the country to be achieved during the next 5 years. Three overarching priority areas have been identified and driven by the national commitments to addressing the challenges of DLDD, climate change, ecosystems sustainability and sustainable livelihoods. These priorities areas are- (i) Sustainable Natural Resource Management (ii) Sustainable Livelihoods and (iii) Rural Infrastructure Development.

4.5.1 Priority Area 1: Sustainable Natural Resources Management Drylands are naturally vulnerable to degradation induced by desertification process, climate change and anthropogenic factors. The priority is to enable communities to acquire and utilise sustainable natural resources management tools towards mitigating the challenges in the drylands, enhancing food security and improving livelihoods. Emphasis will further be on developing and promoting sustainable land management projects and activities towards achieving sustainable use, conservation and protection of the natural resources, in various communities.

4.5.2 Priority Area 2: Community Sensitization, Skills Acquisition and Sustainable Livelihoods This priority area in the NSAP 2021-2025 addresses the need to improve livelihoods through community-based sensitisation activities to enhance productivity and opportunities for alternative sources of incomes as well as the development of new sets of marketable skills within the communities. The prioritised activities will include the development of appropriate policies and measures, building synergies among the various land use sectors and collaboration with civil society organisations, donors, stakeholders and other partners.

4.5.3 Priority Area 3: Rural Infrastructure Development Investments in social infrastructure and the provisions of basic amenities in the project communities are critical, as those facilities are lacking or inadequate in most project communities. The provision of potable water (from solar or and wind-powered boreholes) for human, domestic and nurturing of seedlings is one of the critical success indicators for the GGW programme. Water scarcity is a major threat or challenge to sustainable development in the drylands.

4.6 Logical Framework Table 4.1 presents the logical framework of the major activities of the priority areas identified for the implementation of the GGWSSI in the country. These include the transformational activities/projects and indicative budgets based on broad-stakeholders consultations. The exact locations - for the implementation of activities in each of the 11 programme states will be determined at the project planning stage with broad stakeholder's consultations and collaboration, including the communities, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, governments and academia. Emphasis is to be placed on gender mainstreaming in all activities. 31 -~ ,..., National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of GGW Programme, 2021 - 2025 Table 4.1 Logical Framework of Programme Identified for the Implementation of GGWSSI in Nigeria S/No Intervention Project/ Description Long Term Target NSAP Target Activity Indicative Area Timeline Budget (N) in Billions A Ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation for provisionine: of e:oods and services and other environmental benefits 1. Degraded Land Establishment of 13,000 km of shelterbelts 940 Km of shelterbelt 2021 0.57 Restoration and Shelterbelts- to stabilise established Rehabilitation the soil conditions, 2022 1.425 enhance food security, mitigate climate change and reduce 2023 1.425 environmental degradation. Shelter belt 2024 1.710 will be done in mosaic mode all across the frontline region. 2025 0.57 5.7 Establishment of 250,000 Ha 9,900 Ha of woodlots 2021 3.8 woodlots- to improve established 2022 9.5 the supply of fuel wood 2023 9.5 (energy), post and poles. 2024 11.4 2025 3.8 38.0 Establishment of 250,000 Ha of Community 9,350 Ha of Community 2021 2.47 Community Orchards - Orchards Orchards Established 2022 3.8 for food security and 2023 6.27 income generation 2024 7.6 2025 4.94 25.08 Establishment of Central 22 central nurseries (2 nos per 11 NAGGW States 2021 1.0 Nurseries - for the State) 2022 1.0 34 National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of GGW Programme, 2021 - 2025 I production of high I I I I 2023 I 1.0 quality seedlings of different species. 3.0 Establishment of 1200,000 ha 4,950ha 2021 1.9 Industrial 2022 3.8 Woodlots/Plantations - 2023 5.7 to improve the 2024 5.7 production of timber 2025 1.9 and other Non-Timber Forest Products 19.0 90.78 2 I Sand dunes Sand dunes fixation, 100 ha of Sand dunes for fixation Katsina , Sokoto, Jigawa, 2021 0.38 fixation, restoration of oasis 100 lost Oasis to be rehabilitated Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara 2022 0.532 restoration of and Yobe 2023 0.570 oasis and 2024 0.570 development of 2025 0.228 grazing reserves 2.28 Rehabilitation and 11 Pilot Herbaceous Fodder Farm/ 11 NAGGW States 2021 0.418 Restoration of Grazing Grazing Reserves rehabilitated (one per state to be 2022 0.836 Reserves- for livestock inventoried and 2023 1.254 production and to rehabilitated/restored) 2024 1.254 reduce landuse conflict 2025 0.418 4.18 6.46 Buildine Resilience of Local Communities Skills Building and equipping 18 units operational Resilience Five(5) Resilience Centres 2021- I 6.84 Acquisition SAC - for capacity Training Centres Construction Three in North East and I 2024 Centres (SAC) building/development and equipmen Two (2) in North West to develop local Zones. Locations to be environment determined. 35 National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of GGW Programme, 2021 - 2025 resilient 6.84 livelihood skills Capacity Development- 500,000 vulnerable Women and 120,000 persons- 2021- 0.76 Provision of trainees Youth capacity built/developed participants trained and 2025 with start-up kits after provided with start-up tools training for the new trade or craft 0.76 7.60 2. Stakeholders Stakeholders Town-hall meetings and seminars 10 nos of Town-hall 2021- 1.9 empowerment discussions at various on the severity of desertification meetings and seminars on 2025 for effective centres on the severity in the area the severity of management of of desertification in the desertification in the area their resources area 1.9 3 Develop and Promotion of the Develop commodity value- chain Skill development and start 2021- 1.9 promote planting of suitable and access to markets. up support for Value Chain 2025 econormc economic trees adding business in 3 opportunities communities in 11 States associated with Promote Ecotourism Identify and develop ecotourism Consultancy in 11 states to 2021- 1.9 the measures put potentials of rehabilitated areas identify and develop 2023 in place to tourism business case and tackle DLDD model Facilitate the supply of tourist Implement 2023- 1.9 facilities recommendation of 2025 consultant study and initiate investement in each state for tourism Support locals in marketing Support Selected projects in 2023- 1.14 ecotourism services each state 2025 8.74 Food Security Promote sustainable agricultural 2 Trainings of 11 State 2021- 0.76 production in rehabilitated Agro Extension Officers in 2025 degraded drylands Sustainable Agro practices in 5 year periods 0.76 36 National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of GGW Programme, 2021 - 2025 9.5 4 Poverty Green jobs and Promotes the ability of Training and equipping in 3 2021- 1.52 Reduction sustainable livelihoods communities to provide resources communities in each of 11 2025 through projects for biomass energy state economic Access to carbon credit Plant trees with high carbon Training Organised for 4 2021- 1.9 incentives, and and markets sequestration potentials and Officers from 11 State to 2025 mechanisms and undertake actions to promote develop capacity and fill actions sustainable forest management Knowledge Gap in Green implemented to and emission reduction. and Environmental preserve and Financing each year 2024 - restore the 2025 ecological Strengthening local Financial aid and support to 1,000 Specific households 2021- 0.76 integrity financial and technical households with weak coping to be identified in each 2025 capacity to linked with strategies state. the sustainable tree harvesting Promote access to and Introduce alternative energy that 2 Trainings of 11 State 2021- 1.52 availability of affordable reduces demands for fuel woods Agro Extension Officers in 2025 alternative energy sustainable alternative energy and provide pilot equipment in 5 year periods 5.7 5 Improve the role Integrated National Sustainable management of National 2021- 1.9 that natural Ecosystem Management vegetation, water and land 2025 resources resources to enhance carbon management in sequestration the sub-region 1.9 play in fulfilling Integrated Trans Partner with neighbouring Development of Trans 2021- 5.7 local, state and boundary Ecosystem countries in ensuring that trans boundary Projects and 2025 international Management boundary resources are managed implementations between obligations to enhance carbon sequestration, Nigeria and Niger Republic reduce poverty and migration, and enhance food security 37 National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of GGW Programme, 2021 - 2025 5.7 7.6 6 Private Sector Enhancing sustainable creation of land-based jobs for 11,000 women in 11 9.5 value chains support 1,100,000 rural women in each NAGGW States between from the private sector State based on private sector 2021 - 2025 who guarantees support purchase of dryland rnducts 9.5 Gender mainstreaming Ensuring Inclusion of all Gender All project location 1.52 and transformative in projects to improve engagements in project effectiveness activities 1.52 11.02 Social Infrastructure and Amenities 1 Sustainable Solar Powered Borehole Adequate water to support Communities 2021 0.76 Infrastructure to provide water for livelihood, vegetation and other 2022 1.33 Development afforestation/tree degraded land restoration 2023 1.33 planting activities, activities 2024 1.14 human and livestock consum tion. 2025 1.14 5.7 2 I Securing of Fencing of project sites Secure, protect and provide Project sites 2021- 3.8 Community for facility protection fencing for shelterbelts, 2025 Orchards, from livestock and orchards, woodlots, nurseries and woodlots and human activities and other programme facilities Nurseries enhance sustainabili -3.8 9.5 38 National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of GGW Programme, 2021 - 2025 1. I Policies I Adopt policies in line Engage community stakeholders Project areas 2021- I 1.9 with community based in policy formulation and I I I 2025 ,ractices implementation I 1.9 2. I Real-time Remote sensing analysis of the Remote sensing analysis of 2021- I 1.9 monitoring and Acquisition of Remote environmental conditions of the the environmental 2025 evaluation of the Sensing data intervention areas conditions of the impacts of the intervention areas interventions Periodic field survey to Verifiable data on outcomes of Routine visitation of 2021- I 3.8 observe and assess the intervention intervention areas I 2025 performance of implemented interventions Mid Term and Terminal Mid-term and terminal All Project Activities. 2022 0.38 Evaluation of Project Evaluation of outcomes/ lessons 2024 0.76 learnt for subsequent interventions 6.84 3. I Conduct Baseline Study at Verifiable Baseline Information Baseline Study Report 2021 0.38 Baseline Study beginning of Project for reference purpose to Determine implementation to current state of ascertain the status of Environment in the environment in the frontline States 11 State 0.38 Table 4.1: Logical Framework of Major Programmes Identified for the implementation of GGWSSI in Nigeria 1Note: Agreed projects will be developed to match the indicative budget; while the funding ratio between the Federal, State, Local, Private Sector and Development Partners will be agreed upon in due course. (CBN Excahnge rate US $1 = N 380) 39 National Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of GGW Programme, 2021 - 2025 40 CHAPTER FIVE Implementation of the Strategy For effective implementation of the NSAP, some organisations have been identified as critical stakeholders. Thus, this chapter outlines the guiding principles with roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the NSAP

5.1 Guiding Principles The guiding principles to operationalize the NSAP are outlined below: a) Promoting good multi-stakeholders environmental governance, including representations, inclusiveness in decision making, transparency and accountability. b) Strengthening institutions at all levels of government to support policies and legal mechanisms, and efforts at addressing DLDD to achieve sustainable development in the drylands. c) Ensuring shared responsibilities and strong commitments by all level of governments, affected communities and other stakeholders, including the civil society according to their peculiar circumstances and capabilities taking also into consideration gender, vulnerable groups and cultural dimensions. d) Increasing public education and awareness creation on DLDD and on the necessary measures and actions towards enhancing livelihoods, food security, ecological integrity and other sustainable development goals. e) Mobilising adequate domestic and international resources, and strengthening effective public- private partnerships involving the private sector investors, donors and other stakeholders to attract investments in and support for SLM in the drylands through technology transfer, financing and capacity developments for multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional interventions. f) Building and strengthening intra- and inter-sectoral synergies and coordination in the implementation of the GGW programme. g) Strengthening local governance, participation, inclusiveness and ownership. h) Strengthening programme monitoring and data management. i) Implementing of transformative initiatives based on research, technological innovations, and traditional knowledge, preferences and practices. j) Promoting food security, sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods resilience to reduce vulnerability to climate change and DLDD phenomena. k) Ensuring gender equality, fairness and justice.

5.2 Stakeholder Engagement in NSAP Implementation According to Global Mechanism of the UNCCD: "bringing stakeholders together serve as platforms for information exchange among representatives of all interested parties directly connected to land degradation processes and able to contribute to the achievement of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets at the country level,". Through the National level coordination mechanisms, it is established that existing stakeholder's platforms are robust enough for implementation of the NSAP While countries may establish new fora dedicated to LDN target setting, the LDN process favours the use of established ones. 41

5.3 National Mechanism and Institutional Arrangements for Implementation The National Mechanism has a central responsibility to contribute to financial mobilization, support technology transfer and explore opportunities for increasing financing for the implementation of the Convention and the Strategy. It does this by: i. Supporting resource mobilization for the implementation of the Convention and the Strategy for the frontline states; ii. Assisting affected states in exploring solutions for resource mobilization corresponding to the needs expressed in the countries' UNCCD action programmes; iii. Spearheading, in collaboration with relevant partners, the establishment of new funding options, including the possible creation of an independent Land Degradation Neutrality Fund (LDN Fund) for the implementation of the Strategy. 1v. Providing incentives for state to tap in to the global carbon markets v. Seeking sustainable framework for the participation of local communities and private sector implementation of GGW programmes. Coordination is a critical part for the NSAP to succeed and NAGGW Office takes full responsibility for the Implementation of the National Strategic Action Plan. The overall institutional model for the implementation is designed to strengthen multi-stakeholders' collaboration that involves all participants, from communities to governments, CSOs and NGOs. The key features of the institutional model are: a) Communities in the frontline states will be the focal point b) Institutions at all levels will enjoy independence and autonomy to ensure compliance with the project rules. c) Communities are allowed to participate in a way that ensures their ownership and total independence in taking decisions and managing resources. The key design features incorporated into the institutional model will help attain the following: a. Team work, collective responsibility and self-help at all levels of project implementation b. Devolution ofresponsibilities to the most appropriate level c. Participation and ownership of the programme intervention by village communities.

5.4 Stakeholders and their Roles It is acknowledged that the implementation of the NSAP will depend on the active engagement of both the public and the private sectors. In the light of the stakeholder mapping analysis, the strategy to combat desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) in the frontline states in Nigeria will be implemented primarily through actions at national and local levels, with the support of UNCCD institutions, partners and other relevant stakeholders. These can thus be seen to be at four levels: local, national, regional and international. All these levels are taken into account in the capacity development while privileging local actors and, to a certain extent, national ones. Whether directly or indirectly affected by DLDD, the following stakeholders identified have roles and responsibilities as summarised below: 42

5.4.1 Federal Government Through the Federal Ministry of Environment; • Environmental matters are adequately mainstreamed into all developmental activities. • Leading role in raising the issue of environmental consciousness in the minds of Nigerians as well as the interfacing with the global environmental best practices. Specifically, it has a mandate of: a. Securing a quality environment conducive for good health and well-being of flora and fauna. b. Promoting sustainable use of natural resources. c. Restoring and maintaining the ecosystem, ecological process, and preserve biodiversity. Raising public awareness and promoting understanding of linkages of the environment. d. Cooperating with relevant MDAs, the private sector, NGOs, and international organizations on environmental matters. e. Provide national regulatory and policy frameworks that enable business and industry to advance sustainable development initiatives, taking into account the importance of corporate social responsibility. f. Take into account land tenure and land-use planning conditions, as appropriate, for creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment for LDN.

5.4.2 National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) i. Address land degradation and desertification, boost food security and support communities to adapt to climate change. ii. Strengthen the resilience of the people in the region with sound ecosystem management, sustainable development of land resources, and protection of rural heritage and improvement of the living conditions of the local populations. iii. Facilitate collaboration among other stakeholders to halt and reverse land degradation, prevent depletion of biological diversity, ensure that by 2025, ecosystems are resilient to climate change and continue to provide essential services that would contribute to human welfare and poverty eradication iv. Create green and fertile land for sustainable development in the dry land region that is free of famine and images of malnourished children and starving livestock. v. Consult, sensitize, and inform as well as co-ordinate with relevant stakeholders the strategic plan and other related issues. vi. Integrate gender-responsive actions to promote women, youth, and girls through the gender- inclusive design of preliminary LDN assessments; v11. Develop gender-responsive LDN interventions based on women's participation in decision- making for enabling inclusive land governance; and vn1. Take into account gender dimensions responsive to the concerns of women, youth, and girls in land-use planning and in the design of interventions towards achieving LDN On policy and planning: a. Develop, implement, revise and regularly monitor, as appropriate, national, States and LGAs action programmes as effective tools for national environmental policy implementation; b. Establish policies and enabling environment for promoting and implementing solutions to combat desertification, land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought, including prevention, relief and recovery; 43 c. Leverage synergies and integrate DLDD, while optimizing efficacy and eliminating duplication of efforts, into (i) national plans related to the other multilateral environmental agreements, in particular, the other Rio Conventions; and (ii) other international commitments as appropriate, within Nigeria's respective mandates; d. Mainstream DLDD as appropriate into economic, environmental and social policies, to increase the impact and effectiveness of the implementation of the Convention; e. Establish national policies, measures and governance for drought preparedness and management, including drought contingency plans, according to the mandate of the Convention; with respect to actions on the ground: f. Implement sustainable land management practices; g. Implement restoration and rehabilitation practices to assist with the recovery of ecosystem functions and services; h. Develop and operationalize drought risk management, monitoring and early warning systems and safety-net programmes, as appropriate; i. Promote alternative livelihoods; Establish systems for sharing information and knowledge and facilitate networking on best practices and approaches to drought management.

5.4.3 Other Government Agencies: These include those in charge of developing and implementing policies and plans on land-related issues at the national and subnational levels such as agriculture, environment/forestry, water, mining, energy, trade, economic development and statistics, these Agencies serve as entry points for pursuing the LDN agenda through the national focal points of the Rio Conventions and associated funds, e.g. the Global Environment Facility (GEF), African Climate Fund (ACF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

5.4.4 State Government (Frontline States) a. Bear the main responsibility in the implementation of the Strategy, through their local action programmes. b. Steer implementation in accordance with each state's priorities and the spirit of international solidarity and partnership. c. Increase mobilization of financial and non-financial resources for the implementation of the Convention from international and domestic, public and private sources as well as from local communities, including non-traditional funding sources, and climate finance; d. Take advantage of the opportunity to use land degradation neutrality as a framework to enhance the coherence, effectiveness and multiple benefits of investments; e. To improve the use of existing and/or innovative financial processes and institutions (such as the Global Environment Facility, African Climate Fund, Green Climate Fund or other newer funds);

5.4.5 Communities a. Support and voice opinions in decisions about planning and design of conservation initiatives affecting them. b. Allow to be engaged for the development of sustainable strategies implemented with multi- stakeholders collaboration that involves all participants, from communities to government, and CBOs as well as the NGOs. c. Identify the development needs of their communities. 44 d. Ensure participation by mobilizing and sensitizing community members; e. Support and assist in the mobilization of the various relevant grassroots interest f. Ensures that social values are not interfered with. g. Complaints on the need to ensure sustainable strategy and support monitoring and implementation. h. Participate in community mobilization, orientation and awareness of the various relevant grassroots interest groups. i. Provide feedback to NAGGW on strategy and project implementation Farmers, including small-scale farmers and fisherfolk, pastoralists and foresters contribute through environmentally sound production activities, enhance food security and their livelihood and invigorate production and sustained economic growth

5.4.6 Land users These diverse groups include small and large-scale farmers, pastoralists, forest harvesters and private companies and sometimes those also active outside the agricultural sector in the mining, urbanization, energy, roads and infrastructure industries: a. Engage in initiatives and responsible business practices that support sustainable land management (SLM) b. Support in researching drivers ofDLDD and soil organic carbon issues (SOC) c. Make direct decisions on land management based on the type of land ownership rights they hold. 5.4. 7 Private Sector Those who support land users and are involved indirectly in land management include: banks; suppliers of seed, fertilizer and machinery; energy and communication service providers; traders, manufacturers and chambers of commerce. • Promote SLM technologies, practices, and approaches that contribute to maintaining or increasing SOC for multiple benefits;

5.4.8 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) and Community Based Organisation (CBOs) a. Connect other stakeholders on land-related issues at every level, cooperating with local land users, their associations and government agencies b. Promote desertification, land degradation and drought related information through their well- established and diverse experiences, expertise and capacities, especially in the area of analysis, the sharing of information and knowledge, promotion of dialogue and support for the implementation of sustainable development. c. Conduct scientific researches alongside government groups to evolve and devise sustainable environmental and social strategies and techniques, d. Provide wide support assistance helpful in management planning, institutional/governance issues and other livelihood related matter, Project impacts and mitigation measure and Awareness campaigns. e. Provide platform for government to create awareness and reach out to the communities f. Provide the infrastructure for monitoring. g. Participation in the achievement of strategy through the promotion of social dimension, information, education and training. 45

5.4.9 Youths a. Active participation in desertification, land degradation and drought related decision-making processes, as the issues being addressed have a deep impact on present and future generations and as the contribution of children and youth is vital to the achievement of sustainable development. b. Support and participate in efforts to promote intergenerational dialogue and solidarity by airing their views. c. Support enhancement of the welfare of their communities for maintenance of their identity, culture and interests, and avoid endangering their cultural heritage, practices and traditional knowledge, preserving and respecting non-market approaches that contribute to the eradication of poverty;

5.4.10 Academic, scientific and technological community, a. Support in closing the technological gap in knowledge and practice b. Strengthen the science-policy interface, as well as foster research collaboration on GGW initiative c. Offer scientific advice on good land use practices and related policy options, such as national agriculture research institutes, universities and other relevant institutions. d. continue to develop partnerships to support the implementation of the NSAP and provide scientific and technical support to NAGGW Office by, inter alia, developing guidance for leveraging the implementation of the NSAP and land degradation neutrality, identifying project opportunities and connecting respective partners for the further development of implementation initiatives, including transformative land degradation neutrality projects and programmes, promoting gender-responsive approaches and providing advisory support. e. Assist in the development of guidelines for estimation of Soil Organic Carbon in the Context of LON planning and monitoring; and Creating an Enabling Environment for LON and its Potential Contribution to Enhancing Well-being, Livelihoods and the Environment.

5.4.11 Development Institutions, Multilateral and Bilateral Partners a. Provide financial and technical support to those involved in land management. b. Support scale up and facilitate effective financing for combating desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) c. Identify and facilitate access to resources at the international level for the financial and technical aspects. d. Support GGWSSI-friendly policies. e. Foster: o strengthening of national coordination and cooperation among those responsible for addressing DLDD, socio-economic development, finance, food and water security, agriculture, environment, amongst others as appropriate; and o leverage the cross-cutting benefits of sustainable land management (SLM) in national-level policies and programmes relating to poverty reduction, food and water security, agriculture, environment, finance, amongst others as appropriate

5.4.12 Regional actors a. Develop synergies: 46 o Set up networks of the national partners. o Coordinate actions at the regional level.

5.5 Strengthening Organizational Capability Based on capacity-development needs assessment during the review and update of this NSAP, it was observed that the existing institutional structure and development are sufficient to drive the programme to success. However, there is need to; a. Strengthen technical and scientific competencies of stakeholders involved in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the plan. b. Strengthen multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder coordination at the national, state and local levels for effective implementation c. Improve the policy, legislative and resource mobilization frameworks at all levels in support of the programme d. facilitate choices that encourage better land-use practices that support the achievement of LDN; and when appropriate, enhance the potential to achieve LDN by systematically linking the flows of consumption to the land that produces what is being consumed, which would involve a set of seven measures listed in the decision. Capacity development aims to consolidate national, state and local actions by establishing synergies and in particular: a. strengthening actions that are similar to those proposed at the national level (mainstreaming); b. responding to specific national or local needs starting from well-developed good practices in specific countries (benchmarking); c. promoting the sharing of experiences and the dissemination of best practices between partner countries (capitalization). To achieve the capacity development in the process, specific areas of training should focus on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) programmes and should include: a. training programmes on the three priority issues (conservation agriculture, watershed management, energy and poverty); b. training in pairs; development and dissemination of monitoring instruments on SLM and other services generated by the ecosystems; c. training seminars for decision makers on the linkages between food security, climate change and SLM; d. targeted outreach activities to raise public awareness of the primary functions that SLM must fulfil in addressing the issue of climate change adaptation and the mitigation as well as its impacts. The enumerated actions shall be implemented through information sharing, trainings, study visits, workshops and demonstration activities, among others. 47

5.6 Monitoring and Implementation of NSAP in Nigeria Monitoring the progress made in the implementation of This New NSAP shall be done by National Agency for the Great Green Wall through national reporting and sharing of national experiences, best practices and lessons learned from Parties to the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders for consideration. 48 CHAPTER SIX Communication, Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization

6.1 Communication Strategy There is a diverse range of stakeholders in the implementation of the GGW programmes. The focus of the communication strategy is to promote inclusiveness and synergy amongst all relevant stakeholders for the successful implementation of the programme. The strategy is to enhance the current communication protocols based on lessons learnt. This, however, shall be based on transformative mechanisms that strengthen awareness raising and education, dissemination of information and knowledge among targeted stakeholders with particular attention on livelihoods, ecological integrity, food security, and poverty and climate change issues. Communication structure and processes would adopt a bottom-up approach so that all the critical stakeholders are involved and they own the processes. The NAGGW as the lead Agency shall superintend and lead a three-way collaborative communication processes inte alia: 1. Intra Agency communication 2. Inter-Agency communication 3. Community communication For each process, it will be essential to develop core messages and use the appropriate communication mechanisms or channels for effective delivery. The guiding principle will be to maximise the effectiveness of the communication by engaging the relevant stakeholders at the right time, in the right way with the right messages. Communication toolkits at project levels shall be developed to appropriately fit the targeted stakeholders.

6.1.1 Intra Agency Communication For effectiveness, there is a need to develop new ways of working with stakeholders by clearly defming the messages to meet the target audience. This requires strengthening the NAGGW's in- house communication strategy. Specifically, activities should be targeted at the various departments, units and field offices as well as broadening the feedback mechanisms to enable better delivery of projects to the communities and to improving the efficiency of resource utilization. A periodic review of internal processes and relationships should also be enhanced. A strengthened Information Communication technology (ICT) unit will serve as the hub to improve internal communications within the Agency.

6.1.2 Inter-Agency Communication An effective and responsive inter-agency communication in executing projects will result in more efficient utilization of resources and outcomes. The different players and stakeholders, including the Federal, State and Local Governments, civil society organisations, donors and communities must be engaged at the right time - from the conception phase of projects till the completion. This would enable the people involved to take ownership of the projects and activities.

6.1.3 Community Communication 49 Community engagement is important in every aspect of any development projects that the community people must own the project for its sustainability. Stakeholders must have the right information they need to influence the ownership. Partnering and collaborating with civil society organisations, various agencies of government, the private sectors and other bodies engaged in grassroots communication will be an effective delivery strategy.

6.2 Partnership Building There shall be a deliberate policy in the Agency to build partnership with relevant organisations and agencies with similar goal and objectives This will be in line with Centre for Strategic and International Study (CSIS) defines Developmental Partnership as "approaches to solving development problems through coordinated and concerted effort between government and non-government actors, including companies and civil society, leveraging the resources, expertise and or market efforts to achieve greater impact and sustainability in development outcomes". There are four main kinds of partners that the Agency can align with to help achieve its goals and objectives, this can be broken into: 1. International Development Agencies and Foreign Development Agencies n. Transborder and Regional Partnerships 111. Inter-Governmental (Federal, State and Local Government) Agencies 1v. Civil Society Organisations, Non -Governmental Organisations and Community Based Groups.

6.3 Resource Mobilization and Sustainable Sources of Funding for the NSAP The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) would implement the strategy by taking advantage of partnerships with state governments, including public-private partnerships, and innovative financing agreements. For the successful implementation of the GGW programmes, resource mobilization must be planned in a strategic manner where all sources of funding shall be pooled towards achieving the common goal most efficiently and effectively. Currently, most of the funds being used to fund the programmes come from the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and donors. It is important to source additional funds from other local stakeholders to increase funds available to execute additional projects and their commitments as well as the long-term sustainability of outcomes. The States and Local Governments are important partners in this regard and should be urged to provide adequate financial and materially support for the GGW programmes.

6.3.1 Domestic Level Funding Public sector financing is the major source of domestic funds for the GGW programme and mainly at the national level by the Federal Government. This includes statutory yearly budgetary allocations, Federal Government share of the Ecological Fund, Natural Resources Development Fund, and more recently, the Sovereign Green Bonds from the Capital Market. The National Desertification Fund advocated under the UNCCD is yet to be established and therefore, requires a priority action. so The States and Local Governments are not financially committed to the holistic GGW programme, however, the State Governments undertake some other activities to address DLDD at relatively jurisdictional and small scale levels. Coordinated and collaborative financial mechanism involvement contributions from the eleven (11) dryland states who are the direct beneficiaries of the GGW programmes, will enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of the programmes. Furthermore, States and LGAs should be urged to integrate components of the GGW programmes into their yearly budgets and plans. Other prospective investors, including the private sector, have not been active in exploring the investment opportunities in dryland resources management. For the sustainable implementation of this plan, all actors should be mobilized in a coordinated and transparent manner for their contributions. All sources of funding from the Federal Government should be judiciously mobilised for cost effective utilization while the state and local governments should establish sustainable funding mechanisms towards effectively contributing to addressing DLDD. Similarly, private sector operators should be encouraged to invest in the dryland region with the government providing the enabling environment, such as tax moratorium and other financial incentives. Also, grassroots and community members should be mobilized to appreciate the imperative for their contributions to the success and sustainability of the programmes and thus encouraged to put in more of their energies and resources to the programme.

6.3.2 External Finance Sources There are several official development agencies providing technical and financial support to the NAGGW. They include: • European Union (EU)/ Food and Agriculture Organization (F AO) Support for Action Against Desertification (AAD) in Nigeria • International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). • African Union Commission (AUC), • The European Union (EU) • the Global Mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (GM-UNCCD), • the UN Food and Agriculture Organization • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) • Pan-African Agency for the Great Green Wall (PAGGW) Other Regional and international partners that could be explores for potential funding sources include: • African Forest Forum (AFF) • Association for the Promotion of Education and Training Abroad (APEFE) • Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) • Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) • Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) • Intergovernmental Authority on Development in Eastern Africa (IGAD) • MDG Centre for West and Central Africa (MDG-WCA) • Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO) • Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) • Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) • Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD-Secretariat) • United Nations Development Programme-Drylands, Development Center (UNDP-DDC) • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 51 • United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Center (UNEP- WCMC) • Walloon Region of Belgium, Wallonie-Bruxelles International • World Agro forestry Centre (ICRAF) • World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT) • The World Bank The Agency should continue to seek additional finances from both the domestic and international sources to meet its commitment to implementing the GGW programmes in Nigeria. 52 CHAPTER SEVEN CONCLUSION The issue of drought, desertification and land degradation and other adverse impacts on land productivity as a consequence of climate change and other anthropogenic factors are becoming more important issues to both the human society and physical environment. Drought, Desertification and Land degradation (DDLD) therefore present challenges to the livelihoods of millions of people living in drylands of Nigeria. These challenges make it difficult to pull this population out of the valley of endemic poverty. To lift the people in the drylands out of the vicious circle of poverty, the challenges of drought, desertification and land degradation must be tackled frontally as well as arrest the current trends of rapidly declining land productivity arising from climate change and other anthropogenic factors. Addressing climate change and associated phenomena require appropriate transformative cross- sectoral policies, political will and good environmental governance. Combating desertification in drylands of Nigeria will result in huge gains towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially within the context of poverty alleviation, achieving food security, to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss and ensuring general environmental sustainability. The Federal Government of Nigeria is responding and making some progress in this battle through various interventions. The establishment of NAGGW is one of such pragmatic intervention. The NAGGW is currently at the forefront in this fight to reclaiming derelict lands previously lost to DDLD and protecting those lands under threat. Since its inception in 2013, the Agency has made some appreciable progress towards combating land degradation and desertification in the country's drylands through sustainable afforestation and reforestation programmes, provision of critical rural infrastructure, creation of job opportunities and enhancing the livelihoods of affected communities. It is therefore imperative to ramp-up those achievements under the NSAP, 2021 -2025.

7.1 National Strategic Action Plan Validation Workshop A validation workshop was held on the 18th - 19th February, 2021 at Sawalino Hotel, Keffi, Nasawara state Nigeria with various stakeholders from CSOs, CBOs and NGOs, International Development Partners and State and Federal Government agencies in Attendance. The National Strategic Action Plan 2021 - 2025 was validate and approved by participants of the workshop. The workshop communique and attendance is attached to the appendix of this document. 53 Bibliography 1 African Union Commission (AUC) - undated: The Green Wall for the Sahara Initiative - A Concept Note. 2 Agboola S. A. (1979) An Agricultural Atlas of Nigeria. Oxford University Press, Oxford. 3 Amans, E; Cecilia, C; LaCruz, G; Masaoa, A.; Moss, R.;and Schouten, C. (1992) Analysis of the farming system in the Hadejia Jama 'are floodplain, northern Nigeria. 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