Nigeria must invest more in environment to tackle land degradation, farmer-herder conflicts, Expert

Nigeria must significantly boost its environmental investments to effectively address escalating land degradation and persistent farmer-herder conflicts, an expert has stated. The call for greater financial commitment comes amid ongoing challenges that threaten both the nation's ecological health and its social stability.

In a recent interview, the Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) discussed the critical need for enhanced funding. He emphasized that such investments are crucial for implementing sustainable land management practices and mitigating the root causes of disputes between farming and herding communities. These conflicts often stem from competition over dwindling natural resources, exacerbated by environmental degradation.

The expert also pointed to Nigeria's promising prospects for securing substantial international funding. He noted the availability of $1.3 billion in financing, which was announced at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Accessing these funds could provide a significant boost to Nigeria's environmental protection and restoration efforts.

Furthermore, the conversation delved into the NCF's Green Recovery Nigeria initiative. This program aims to promote ecological restoration and sustainable development across the country, aligning with national and international environmental goals. The initiative seeks to create a greener future for Nigeria by fostering conservation and responsible resource management.