The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening climate resilience across the country through the implementation of the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, as Nigeria continues to battle worsening environmental challenges.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, restated the government’s position during the Mid-Term Review Steering Technical Committee meeting held in Kaduna, where stakeholders assessed progress on the project.
Utsev, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the ACReSAL Steering Committee, said the initiative remains a key pillar in Nigeria’s strategy to address flooding, land degradation, and water scarcity.
“Through the River Basin Development Authorities and Hydrological Services, the ministry will continue to play a key role in watershed management, flood forecasting, early warning systems, and sustainable water infrastructure,” he said.
He described the mid-term review as a crucial opportunity to evaluate progress and improve implementation strategies.
“This meeting offers us the chance to take stock of progress made so far, assess the effectiveness of interventions, and identify operational challenges that may be limiting impact,” Utsev added.
The minister emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, noting that coordinated efforts across sectors would be essential for achieving the project’s long-term objectives, particularly in integrating climate adaptation into water resource management.
He also highlighted priority areas including improved watershed and landscape management, expanded access to climate and hydrological data for planning, and the strengthening of early warning systems to reduce disaster risks.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, who chairs the ACReSAL Steering Committee, said the project is already producing visible results in participating communities but stressed the importance of legal and policy frameworks to ensure sustainability.
“States must enact laws that will guarantee the sustainability of ACReSAL interventions beyond the lifespan of the project,” Lawal said.
The meeting featured presentations from representatives of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, and the World Bank Technical Team Lead for ACReSAL, Dr Joy Agene.
The ACReSAL initiative, supported by the World Bank, is designed to tackle environmental degradation in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions, particularly in the northern parts of the country where desertification, irregular rainfall, and soil erosion continue to threaten livelihoods.
In recent years, Nigeria has faced increasingly severe climate shocks, including flooding and prolonged dry spells, which have disrupted agricultural activities, displaced communities, and deepened food insecurity.
Officials say sustained investment in climate resilience programmes such as ACReSAL is critical to protecting water resources, strengthening agricultural productivity, and building the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities across the country.
