The World Bank has approved $500 million in financing for Nigeria to support efforts to tackle flooding, restore damaged farmlands and reduce conflicts between farmers and herders, particularly in northern parts of the country.
The funding is expected to strengthen climate resilience, improve agricultural productivity and support communities affected by recurring floods and other environmental challenges.
The intervention will be implemented through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, a Federal Government programme launched in 2022 to address environmental degradation and climate-related challenges.
According to the World Bank, the additional financing is expected to help restore approximately 1.4 million hectares of degraded land and benefit 6.6 million people by 2031.
The project has already introduced sustainable land management practices across about 550,000 hectares and reached more than 4.4 million beneficiaries.
Speaking on the approval, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said the additional funding would expand successful interventions, improve food and water security, increase agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods.
The programme is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
The World Bank said the project covers all 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The latest approval is expected to strengthen efforts to address environmental challenges that have contributed to flooding, farmland degradation and competition over land and water resources in affected communities.
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