Yobe state in northeast Nigeria is one of the frontline states grappling with the menace of climate change.
From its Northern flank, sand dunes are encroaching by 0.6 kilometers annually and to the South, gully erosion is exercebating environmental degredation in the state.
This twin-disaster causes persistent drought, deforestation, shrinks water sources, renders farmlands and oases barren, displaces settlements, and occasionally causes floods.
These challenges combined have led to massive depletion of vegetations and livelihoods, especially among rural dwellers.
Concerned with these disturbing conditions, Yobe State and Federal Governments in collaboration with the World Bank introduced a mitigative programme called, the Agro-Climatic Resillience in Semi Arid Landscapes, (ACReSAL) to reverse the ugly development.
The move comes with the unveiling of a newly developed, ‘Yobe State Climate Change Policy 2025’, a comprehensive framework designed to guide the state’s response to the multifaceted challenges of climate change.
Commenting on the development, Governor Mai Mala Buni said climate change presents one of the greatest challenges of this era, affecting livelihoods, ecosystems, health, and economic development across the globe.
In his words, “For Yobe State, the impacts are particularly acute: increasing droughts, desertification and unpredictable rainfall patterns threaten our predominantly agrarian economy, the well-being of our people, and the sustainability of our natural resources.
“Recognising the urgency of this threat, the Government of Yobe State has taken a bold and necessary step to develop a Climate Change Policy that will serve as a strategic framework for action.
“This policy reflects our commitment to safeguarding the environment, building resilience among our communities and contributing meaningfully to global efforts to combat climate change”.
He added that the Yobe State Climate Change Policy seeks to align the state’s development pathways with sustainability, innovation and inclusivity principles as it provides a roadmap for integrating climate considerations into planning, budgeting, infrastructure development, agricultural practices, waste management, urbanisation, energy transitions and disaster risk reduction.
“We aim to build a climate-resilient Yobe State that ensures social, economic and environmental well-being for current and future generations.
“This will only be possible through collective action: from government institutions, the private sector, civil society, academia, traditional institutions and most importantly, our communities”, he said.
Buni called on all stakeholders to embrace this policy’s provisions and actively contribute to its successful implementation.
The State Commissioner of Environment, Hon. Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa added his voice, saying the development of the Yobe State Climate Change Policy is a bold step in a collective effort to build a climate-resilient and sustainable future for the people of the State.
According to him, this achievement would not have been possible without the vision, leadership, and support of the State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, whose unwavering commitment to climate governance and environmental sustainability has provided the foundation for this groundbreaking initiative.
“This policy is the product of shared vision, cooperation, and tireless effort.
“We hope that it will serve as a guiding framework for coordinated climate action across all sectors and communities in Yobe State”, Karasuwa said.
The 60-page policy document addresses key climate vulnerabilities across critical sectors, including agriculture, water resources, urban development, waste management, energy, health, education, transportation, biodiversity conservation.
Specific focus areas include: enhancing climate-resilient agriculture; accelerating renewable energy transition; and mainstreaming climate education.
Others areas are building climate-resilient urban areas; fostering green economic growth and protecting natural ecosystems.
To add to all this, the state constituted Climate Change Council on Erosion and Restoration (YOCCCER) as well as established State Agency for the Great Green Wall.
The council and the agency are to work and partner with the relevant local, national and international organizations in the herculean tasks of addressing climate change, erosion, and restoration of vegetation cover, as well as promoting sustainable practices and reducing the state’s carbon footprint in line with Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, (2021).
Desertification, gully erosion pose existential threat to Yobe
