By Our Correspondent

National News – The Federal Government has renewed efforts to strengthen climate resilience across Nigeria through the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, with key officials reaffirming commitment during a mid-term review meeting held in Kaduna on Friday.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made this known while addressing stakeholders, explaining that the initiative targets pressing environmental threats such as flooding, land degradation, and water scarcity affecting vulnerable communities, particularly in northern regions.

Utsev, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the ACReSAL Steering Committee, stated that the project is being implemented nationwide with support from the World Bank to improve sustainable water management and agricultural productivity.

He explained that the review meeting aims to assess progress, identify operational gaps, and refine strategies to ensure better outcomes.

According to him, government agencies, including River Basin Development Authorities and Hydrological Services, are playing a crucial role in delivering early warning systems, flood forecasting, and watershed management solutions.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of long-term policy backing to sustain the project.

He urged state governments to enact supportive laws that will ensure continuity beyond the project’s lifespan.

Representatives from Kaduna State, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and the World Bank participated in the meeting, highlighting ongoing collaboration across sectors.

The ACReSAL project was introduced to tackle environmental challenges intensified by climate change, including desertification and erratic rainfall.

In recent years, Nigeria has experienced severe flooding and prolonged droughts, disrupting farming activities, displacing communities, and worsening food insecurity.

Officials noted that sustained investment, improved climate data access, and stronger inter-agency collaboration will enhance the country’s adaptive capacity.

They added that scaling up climate resilience initiatives remains essential to protecting livelihoods, securing water resources, and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability across Nigeria.