40 Million Nigerians Affected by Land Degradation: Urgent Government Insights – Latest on Climate Change & Environmental News

The Federal Government has reported that desertification and land degradation are seriously affecting over 40 million Nigerians. About 43% of Nigeria’s land, roughly 923,000 square kilometers, is impacted.

On July 18, 2025, in Abuja, Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal addressed these issues during a National Dialogue called “Restore the Land: Unlock the Opportunities.” This event, organized by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) with support from the Ministry of Environment, highlighted the significance of World Desertification and Drought Day.

Lawal, represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Mahmud Kambari, labeled land degradation as a global crisis. He noted that worldwide, dryland degradation leads to a loss of 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil each year. This decline threatens food production and food security. He referenced the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), stating that over two million hectares of land are lost yearly to desertification and drought. With food demands expected to grow, an estimated 300 million hectares will need to be restored by 2030.

The theme of the 2025 World Desertification Day stresses investing in sustainable land management to reverse degradation. This effort is crucial for addressing challenges like economic insecurity, food shortages, and climate change.

Lawal emphasized that Nigeria’s growth goals depend on protecting the environment and managing natural resources wisely. The government is putting resources into policies and programs aimed at tackling land degradation.

Regina Nwaneri, Director of Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought Management, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to combating these issues. However, she cautioned that restoration efforts must ramp up significantly to meet urgent needs. Current projections indicate that $1 billion daily will be required from 2025 to 2030, but funding remains inadequate.

Ifeanyi Chukwudi, Senior Project Manager at CJID, shared that the center is collaborating with various ministries and stakeholders to promote effective interventions. They have also engaged over 500 journalists nationwide to raise awareness on land issues.

The urgency of this situation is reflected in a recent report indicating that Nigeria ranked among the top countries most affected by desertification in 2023. Social media users have started trending the hashtag #RestoreOurLand, calling for immediate action. This growing movement shows a shift in public awareness and concern.

As the world faces environmental challenges, the need for quick and comprehensive action has never been clearer. Efforts to restore and protect our land are crucial not just for Nigeria, but for the future of global food security and climate health.

For more information on land restoration strategies, you can check the UNCCD’s reports here.

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Federal Government,Land degradation,Nigerians