Nigeria Seeks Stronger Drought Rules At UNCCD COP17, Funding as Land Degradation Hits Half of Country

News in Brief: 

— During the 17th session of the UN Convention, Nigeria called for a legally binding framework to manage drought in Africa.

— About 50% of Nigeria’s arable farmland is affected by degradation and could threaten food security, livelihoods, and water resources. 

During the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Nigeria called for a legally binding framework on proactive drought management. The strategy is expected to include increased funding for climate adaptation and stronger accountability to tackle land degradation.

Nigeria Urges Shift from Drought Response to Preparedness

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, stated Nigeria’s position during the high-level ministerial opening of the conference, where he led the country’s delegation.

Lawal announced that the country was prepared to translate the outcomes of COP17 into concrete action. He called for stronger international cooperation and support in areas like finance, water security, land restoration, food systems and soil health.

According to the minister, about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s land is affected by degradation, with significant consequences for agriculture, pastoralism and rural communities. Therefore, great emphasis must be placed on proactive drought management through early warning systems, national drought plans, anticipatory action and improved water security.

“COP17 must therefore be a COP of implementation. We must move from words to action, from commitments to delivery, and from ambition to measurable results that improve the lives and livelihoods of our people,” he said.

Nigeria Seeks Stronger International Support

The minister also urged stronger international cooperation to support African countries facing land degradation and drought, particularly through improved access to climate adaptation finance.

He suggested coordinated action on water security, land restoration, food systems and soil health as part of broader efforts to build resilience among vulnerable communities.

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Saleh Abubakar, said that COP17 offered Nigeria an opportunity to exchange knowledge with countries that had developed successful land restoration and drought resilience programmes.

He declared that Nigeria would use the conference to showcase its scientific knowledge and indigenous practices while developing research and technology partnerships to strengthen efforts against land degradation.

Abubakar also stated that the agency would seek technical assistance and investment to improve drought preparedness and early warning systems.

Abubakar added that NAGGW would continue working with local and international partners to address desertification and land degradation across Nigeria’s 11 frontline states. Part of the agency’s efforts targets improving food security and reducing conflicts between farmers and herders, which can be exacerbated by competition over increasingly degraded land and natural resources.