In a major stride toward environmental sustainability and agricultural resilience, the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), a directorate of Ahmadu Bello University, has launched a statewide tree planting and agroforestry campaign in Kaduna State. The initiative, tagged “Tree Planting for Resilience”, is designed to combat deforestation, mitigate the impact of climate change, and enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
The campaign, officially flagged off on July 28, 2025, at Government Secondary School, Kakeyi, Zaria, is part of the AGRA Kaduna Consortium Grant running from April 2024 to September 2025. The programme is supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), EcoClimate Foundation, and other key stakeholders.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Yusuf Sani, Director of NAERLS, described the campaign as a timely intervention, lamenting the alarming rate of tree loss across Nigeria. “If you cut down one tree, you are expected to plant five in return,” he emphasized, calling on individuals and institutions to take ownership of reforestation efforts.
The project aims to plant 200,000 trees across six local government areas, Zaria, Sabon-Gari, Kachia, Kauru, Kudan, and Makarfi, covering 375 hectares including 38 hectares of woodlots. Over 10,000 farmers are expected to benefit directly, with participation demographics targeting 25% men, 35% women, and 40% youth.
Professor C.K. Daudu, Principal Investigator of the project, revealed that over 200,000 seedlings have already been distributed to schools, hospitals, and farming communities. He said the initiative will promote agroforestry practices that not only protect the environment but also generate economic benefits. Through a partnership with TRIVE Agric, farmers can now access credit based on the number of trees planted, with additional training on how to leverage those resources sustainably.
Highlighting the community-led nature of the campaign, the Sarki of Kakeyi pledged that the community would ensure the trees are nurtured and protected. During the event, 5,000 tree seedlings were distributed to local farmers, signaling the start of widespread grassroots engagement.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Research and Innovation), Prof. Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, described the initiative as both a moral and religious duty. “Felling trees without replacement is discouraged in many religious traditions and contradicts the values we seek to uphold,” he said.
Other notable figures at the event included Professor S.B. Abdul, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, who called the project an “intergenerational investment” whose greatest beneficiaries will be the students. Professor Bashir Babaji, Director of the Division of Agricultural Colleges, emphasized the ecological value of trees, while Professor Aisha, Head of Soil Science, underscored their role in carbon absorption, air purification, and ecosystem balance.
She also stressed the need for sustainable alternatives to firewood and charcoal, warning that without these, deforestation would remain inevitable. “Unless viable energy alternatives are introduced, tree planting efforts will always be undermined,” she added.
Representatives from the Emir of Zazzau, the Kaduna State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Zaria Local Government Council were also present at the launch, pledging their commitment to ensuring the long-term success of the programme.
The project will also involve the training of 162 Community-Based Advisors (CBAs) and the sensitization of over 4,000 youths on environmental conservation, adding another layer of capacity building to the resilience strategy.
The symbolic planting of trees by dignitaries during the event demonstrated the broad support for the campaign and reinforced its vision to create lasting environmental and economic transformation in the region.
