By: Ali Mohammed Zanna, Maiduguri

As climate change continues to pose a growing threat to Nigeria’s economy and security, Borno State is emerging as a key player in environmental sustainability.

At the Hybrid Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Carbon Pricing in Nigeria’s Telecommunication Sector, the United Nations Resident Humanitarian Coordinator emphasised the urgent need for climate action, particularly in sectors that contribute to carbon emissions.

While national attention is often focused on climate-related disasters like the devastating 2022 floods, which affected 33 out of 36 states and displaced more than 1.4 million people, Borno faced a different challenge—desertification.

Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and land degradation are pushing communities to the brink, threatening food security and worsening displacement in a region already affected by conflict.

Unlike other states struggling to adapt, Borno has taken proactive steps to combat environmental degradation through the Borno State Agency for the Great Green Wall.

This agency is leading reforestation and land restoration projects aimed at reversing the effects of desertification. Large-scale tree planting, sustainable land management, and renewable energy programs are at the core of its efforts to create a greener and more resilient Borno.

The agency’s approach is not just about environmental protection but also economic empowerment. By promoting climate-smart agriculture and supporting alternative livelihoods, it provides communities with sustainable income sources, reducing dependence on activities that contribute to deforestation.

On a national level, Nigeria has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% unconditionally and up to 47% conditionally by 2030, as outlined in the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The telecommunications sector, a significant contributor to carbon emissions, is being targeted for reforms to support these climate goals.

The United Nations, through organisations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), continues to collaborate with Nigeria on climate adaptation strategies.

For Borno, strengthening the Borno State Agency for Great Green Wall and expanding climate resilience programs will be essential to mitigating environmental challenges.

As Nigeria intensifies its climate action, Borno’s innovative approach could serve as a model for other states facing similar ecological threats.