The federal government on Tuesday validated an updated national policy to address desertification, land degradation, and drought in the country.

Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal said this at the workshop on the “Review of the National Policy on Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought.”

Mr Lawal, represented by Mahmud Kambari, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said the validated document would effectively address the menace of desertification, land degradation and drought and enhance environmental sustainability in the country.

“This validation workshop marks a critical stage in the policy review process as it provides a platform for stakeholders to carefully examine the revised policy document, assess its objectives, strategies, and implementation mechanisms, and ensure that it reflects a shared national vision,” Mr Lawal said.

The minister revealed that the objective of the validation is not merely about endorsement, but a collective ownership, asking hard questions, identifying gaps, and refining approaches so that the final document is practical, inclusive, and capable of delivering measurable results.

“It must encapsulate the realities at the national, state, and local levels. It must recognise the different ecological zones of the country and the unique challenges. Land degradation is a real and pressing challenge that affects millions of Nigerians, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country,” he said.

Mr Lawal noted that the challenges threaten agricultural productivity, water availability, food security, biodiversity, and overall socio-economic stability.

“Desertification, on the other hand, steadily reduces the productivity of our land, weakens ecosystems, and places additional pressure on already scarce natural resources,” he said.

Mr Lawal expressed optimism that the policy has the potential to serve as a foundation for integrated, long-term solutions that benefit both people and the environment.

“The draft National Drought and Desertification Policy document before us today is the outcome of the review of the existing policy, which commenced on July 2, 2025, with the inception workshop, which brought stakeholders from the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT.

“Government would provide the leadership needed for its full implementation, but it must be complemented by strong partnerships with the private sector, civil society, research institutions, and local communities,” he stated.

Mr Kambari, represented by Regina Nwaneri, the director of desertification, land degradation, and drought management in the ministry, said the existing policy framework, while useful at the time of its development, must respond to new realities, emerging risks, and evolving national and international commitments.

“This necessity informed the decision to undertake a comprehensive review of the National Drought and Desertification Policy, which, in all honesty, is long overdue.

“The reviewed policy is expected to place stronger emphasis on early warning systems, preparedness, resilience building, and coordinated institutional action,” he said.

Abdulhameed Umar, the national project coordinator for Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), said land degradation has been an environmental challenge, which ACReSAL has been tackling with support from the World Bank.

Mr Umar, represented by Musa Shuaibu, expert advisor for landscape restoration and wetland management at ACReSAL, commended the validation of the policy and expressed optimism that land degradation, desertification, and drought would be addressed.

Precious Agbesor, the FAO representative, said validation of the national policy, which represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to promote sustainable land management, climate resilience, and restored degraded ecosystems, is a welcome development.

Rose Okonkwo, the executive director of programme management at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation Limited, assured commitment to environmental issues to cushion the effects of climate change.

(NAN)