Nigeria Champions Proactive Drought Management and Global Cooperation at COP17
Nigeria has strengthened its collaboration with the African Group of Negotiators, advocating for a binding global agreement on proactive drought management, increased adaptation funding, and clear accountability mechanisms to effectively tackle severe land degradation and drought.
In line with the objectives of the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving its Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets and translating global commitments into tangible action.
At the High-Level Ministerial Opening Segment of COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, articulated Nigeria’s position and emphasized the country’s commitment to ensuring that the outcomes of the conference lead to meaningful interventions on the ground.
Leading the Nigerian delegation, the Minister was joined by the Director General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Saleh Abubakar, MFR, alongside other government officials, agency representatives, and delegates.
Highlighting the need for stronger international collaboration in the areas of climate finance, water security, land restoration, sustainable food systems, and soil health, the Minister stressed that land degradation, desertification, and drought are pressing realities with direct implications for Nigeria’s food security, livelihoods, water resources, migration patterns, and national stability.
He noted that approximately half of Nigeria’s land is affected by degradation, posing significant risks to agriculture, pastoralism, and rural communities.
The Minister also acknowledged Africa’s frontline position in confronting these environmental challenges and noted Nigeria’s full endorsement of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 as an important opportunity to strengthen attention to rangelands and pastoral communities within national policies and programmes.
He underscored the need to prioritise proactive drought management through the implementation of early warning systems, national drought plans, anticipatory actions, and stronger water security frameworks.
According to the Minister, Nigeria and its partners must move from reacting to drought after it occurs to anticipating its impacts and preparing communities and institutions to respond effectively.
“The true success of this convention will not be judged by the number of decisions made, but by the tangible changes we achieve on the ground,” stated the Minister. “COP17 must be a conference of action—transforming words into results that improve the livelihoods of our people.”
The Minister affirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the COP Presidency, the UNCCD Secretariat, and all Parties to secure inclusive, practical, and nationally relevant outcomes.
He expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Mongolia, the COP17 Presidency, and the UNCCD Secretariat for their leadership and warm hospitality.
The Minister also praised the conference theme, “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,” describing it as timely and critically important for Nigeria and the African continent as they confront escalating challenges associated with land degradation, desertification, and drought.
Earlier, the Director General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Saleh Abubakar, highlighted COP17 as a vital platform bringing together government officials, scientists, farmers, youth, civil society organisations, and the private sector to address interconnected environmental challenges.
The Director General noted that the conference provides an opportunity for Nigeria to exchange knowledge, learn from successful international programmes in land restoration and drought resilience, showcase indigenous and scientific expertise, and build partnerships to strengthen research, technology, and cooperation among government institutions, universities, and communities.
He added that Nigeria’s participation at COP17 would enable NAGGW to pursue technical assistance and investment, enhance drought preparedness and early warning systems, and raise the profile of Nigeria’s land degradation challenges within global discussions.
“Land degradation is a global development challenge impacting food production, water availability, livelihoods, and economic stability,” the Director General noted.
He highlighted the urgency for Nigeria to transition from emergency responses to a more predictive, prepared, adaptive, and resilient approach to drought management.
The Director General assured that NAGGW remains committed to close collaboration with local and international partners to reverse desertification and land degradation across Nigeria’s frontline dryland regions, with the aim of improving food security, strengthening community resilience, and reducing conflicts between farmers and herders.
