- Northern states, FCT vie for N100m in tree-planting drive; Enugu named model green state
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday unveiled the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge, a tree-planting competition designed to address desert encroachment and climate change impacts in northern Nigeria.
This initiative is closely aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). SDG 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, while SDG 15 focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. This includes combating desertification, halting land degradation, and promoting reforestation — all critical components addressed through this tree-planting challenge.
To encourage widespread participation, the First Lady announced attractive incentives: communities and states that excel in the challenge stand to win up to ₦100 million, while individual households can win up to ₦10 million. Enugu State was singled out as a model green state for its exemplary environmental stewardship and will receive both an award and monetary recognition.
She said, “I want us to grow trees. I discovered traveling to the North, mainly it’s void of trees. All you see is just dry land. But what I notice also, there are some trees that survive in the North.” This initiative aligns with broader national efforts to tackle land degradation and desertification as part of Nigeria’s climate action agenda.
To encourage widespread participation, the First Lady announced prizes of up to N10 million for individual households and N100 million for communities and states that excel in the tree-planting challenge.
She explained, “If it is community, we are looking at N100 million. If it is individual home, we are looking at N10 million.” Enugu State was singled out as a model for environmental stewardship and will receive an award and monetary recognition for its exemplary green status.
This competition forms part of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience, complementing other initiatives such as women’s ICT training and disability empowerment programs launched under the same framework.
This tree-planting campaign joins a growing number of state-led environmental efforts across Nigeria aimed at mitigating climate change effects through nature-based solutions, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable land management and environmental restoration.