More than 40 million Nigerians are affected by desertification and land degradation, phenomena that negatively impact soil fertility and the productivity of Nigeria's agricultural sector.
In total, over 900,000 square kilometers are affected by desertification and soil degradation, representing about 43% of Nigeria’s land area, according to the Nigerian Minister of Environment, as cited by local media.
Speaking at a recent meeting held in Abuja on land restoration, the Nigerian official warned about the harmful effects of land degradation, given its impact on agricultural production and food security.
He further stated that achieving Nigeria’s socio-economic development goals depends on the implementation of effective environmental protection measures and the sustainable management of land and natural resources.
For her part, the Director of the Department of Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought Management expressed Nigeria’s commitment to contributing to global efforts to combat desertification.
She called for the intensification of efforts by all stakeholders in restoring degraded land and managing the effects of drought.