Vision • To enhance Kogi State’s resilience to the impact of climate change. Mission • To reduce vulnerability to soil erosion and promote sustainable land ma
Lokoja, Nigeria
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Nigeria Launches Groundbreaking Project; The Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB)
In a significant step towards combating soil erosion, land degradation, and the effects of climate change, the Federal Government of Nigeria,
As highlighted by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Gautier Mignot, the NEWMAP-EIB project is already demonstrating its potential to rescue communities from destruction and protect critical infrastructure against future climate disasters.
The project’s launch is a crucial step toward addressing Nigeria’s environmental challenges and ensuring long-term climate resilience for millions of Nigerians.
The Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, officially declared the project launched, announcing the release of ₦750 million as the first tranche of Federal Government counterpart funding.
"Every year, we face the twin pressures of flooding and erosion. The socio-economic cost is enormous. Through NEWMAP-EIB, we see an opportunity to reposition our state as a model of environmental resilience."
He went on to describe NEWMAP-EIBas a unique opportunity for Kogi to become a model of environmental resilience, stating:
They do not respect political boundaries; they are national challenges requiring a truly national response."
"Erosion and watershed degradation are not abstract problems; they are lived realities for millions of Nigerians. They wash away farmlands, displace families, destroy schools and homes, and weaken food security.
A key highlight of the launch was the address delivered by Kogi State’s Governor ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, who emphasized the real and urgent challenges faced by his state. He stated:
and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), all of whom pledged their continued support to ensure the success of the project.
The event also saw contributions from various development partners, including the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the French Development Agency (AFD),
"This project represents a strong demonstration of the partnership between the European Investment Bank and the government of Nigeria."
In his goodwill message, Alkali Mustapha Bello, Director of the International Economic Relations Department, Federal Ministry of Finance, underscored the importance of this collaboration, stating:
A moving spoken word poetry performance by students of Garki Secondary School, Abuja, highlighted the urgency of environmental protection, capturing the essence of the project’s mission.
and the Head of the EIB Regional Hub for West and Central Africa, Mr. Roger Stuart, who described the project as “a landmark initiative for reversing environmental damage.”
The launch ceremony featured several key speeches and goodwill messages from prominent figures, including the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari,
The project will restore 3,100 hectares of degraded land, create 25,000 jobs in sectors such as forestry, afforestation, and fisheries, and provide vital protection for local communities against the devastating effects of soil erosion and flooding.
It is expected to have a transformative impact on the livelihoods of 750,000 Nigerians by 2030, focusing on 23 states, including Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Kano, and Delta.