The Borno State has launched the 2026 National Tree Planting Campaign, with plans to plant four million tree seedlings to combat desertification and promote environmental sustainability across the state.
The campaign, flagged off in Maiduguri, the state capital, also featured the distribution of clean cooking stoves and cooking gas cylinders aimed at reducing deforestation and promoting the use of cleaner energy sources across the state.
Governor Zulum announced that 23,700 cooking gas cylinders would be distributed free of charge to teachers and environmental vanguards across the State’s 27 local government areas in phases.
The first phase of the programme will provide 5,000 cooking gas cylinders and clean cooking stoves to beneficiaries in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area, while the remaining beneficiaries in the other 25 local government areas will receive theirs subsequently.
The Governor disclosed that beneficiaries would also be provided with refill vouchers redeemable through designated vendors to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
According to him, “the programme is expected to significantly reduce dependence on firewood, improve household health, lower carbon emissions and protect the state’s forest resources.”
He further stated that environmental restoration remains a critical component of his administration’s rebuilding and recovery agenda, noting that “efforts to reconstruct communities affected by conflict must be complemented by measures to restore and preserve the ecosystem.”
He also appreciated the Federal Ministry of Environment, its agencies and development partners for their continued support in advancing environmental sustainability in Borno State.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawan, described Governor Zulum’s approach of combining tree planting with clean cooking alternatives as innovative and worthy of emulation by other states.
He officially launched the planting of four million tree seedlings provided by various stakeholders and commended the Borno State for its environmental achievements, noting that more than 20 million trees have already been planted across the state.
Malam Lawan urged governments at all levels, schools, faith-based organisations, private sector stakeholders, youth and women groups, and Nigerians generally to embrace tree planting as a civic responsibility in safeguarding the environment for future generations.
The Minister said providing thousands of households with alternatives to firewood would help curb deforestation and contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation efforts.
