World Bank Approves Additional $500 Million to Strengthen Climate Resilience in Northern Nigeria

ABUJA — The World Bank has approved an additional $500 million in financing for Nigeria's efforts to combat land degradation, improve water management and strengthen the resilience of communities facing climate-related challenges across the northern part of the country.

The funding will expand the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, a programme designed to restore degraded environments, improve agricultural productivity and support rural livelihoods in areas vulnerable to drought, desertification, erosion and flooding.

According to the World Bank, the expanded programme will operate across Nigeria's 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. By 2031, it aims to restore and improve the management of 1.4 million hectares of land while benefiting approximately 6.6 million people.

The approval, announced on November 6, represents an expansion of a project that has been running since 2022. Its focus is on addressing environmental challenges that threaten farming activities, water supplies and the economic stability of rural communities.

Tackling land degradation and flooding

Northern Nigeria faces several interconnected environmental pressures, including desertification, declining soil quality, water shortages and seasonal flooding. These challenges can reduce agricultural output, damage infrastructure and make it harder for rural households to maintain stable incomes.

The additional financing is expected to support the rehabilitation of watersheds, improved erosion control, better flood management and sustainable use of natural resources.

These interventions are intended to improve soil and vegetation health, protect agricultural land and strengthen communities' ability to withstand climate shocks.

The World Bank also expects the programme to contribute to reduced flooding and related fatalities, improved agricultural productivity and fewer disputes involving farmers, herders and other communities competing over land and water resources.

Building on earlier project results

The additional funding builds on progress recorded since ACReSAL began in 2022.

The World Bank reported that the project had introduced sustainable landscape management practices across approximately 550,000 hectares and reached more than 4.4 million beneficiaries.

It also said the programme had surpassed its target for improved catchment management, providing a foundation for expanding activities into more communities.

World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said the project had demonstrated how investments in climate-resilient landscapes could improve livelihoods and strengthen food and water security in communities most exposed to climate risks.

He said the additional financing would help expand approaches that had already shown results, restore more degraded land, increase agricultural productivity and strengthen institutions responsible for sustaining the improvements.

ACReSAL Task Team Leader, Iganya Joy Agene, said the new financing would help move beyond planning and institutional development towards larger-scale investments supporting climate adaptation, food security, water security, employment and economic opportunities.

Federal ministries to oversee implementation

The project is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Its activities involve working with state-level institutions and communities to improve landscape management and protect natural resources.

The programme's success will depend not only on the availability of financing but also on effective implementation, coordination among government agencies and the long-term maintenance of restored land and water systems.

For farmers and rural households, the intended benefits include healthier soils, improved access to water, more productive agricultural land and stronger protection against environmental disasters.

What the funding means for Nigeria

The additional $500 million marks a significant expansion of Nigeria's climate-resilience efforts. However, the targets announced by the World Bank are objectives for the programme's implementation period, not results that have already been achieved.

The restoration of 1.4 million hectares and the expected reach of 6.6 million people will require sustained investment, effective project delivery and measurable progress across participating states.

As climate pressures continue to affect agriculture and rural livelihoods, the expanded ACReSAL programme will be judged by how successfully it translates financing into lasting improvements for communities, food production and environmental protection.