By Victoria Onehi
The Federal Government in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) has launched Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) to tackle erosion and improve Nigeria’s climate change adaption.
The Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal while launching the project said the European Investment Bank-Assisted Project is designed to address critical areas of climate adaptation and erosion in the country across 23 states.
He said the project is an offshoot of the World Bank assisted NEWMAP- IDA project which stabilised gully erosion sites, improved livelihoods, and strengthened institutions across seven states and closed in June 2022.
Lawal disclosed that the EIB approved a facility of €175 million aimed at building upon and deepening the achievements recorded under NEWMAP-IDA, using the Strategic Watershed Management approach.
He said: “The project became technically effective in 2023 and now disbursement-effective in 2025. It is to be implemented over a period of five (5) years across twenty-three (23) states, namely: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto.”
The Minister who noted that the success of the project largely depends on the commitments from state governments said the Federal Government has released ₦750 million as the first tranche of counterpart funding to the Federal Project Management Unit.At the same time, he said participating states have shown commitment by also providing counterpart funds to their State Project Implementing Units, further ensuring the initiative’s success and sustainability.
While giving the overview of the project,the National Project Coordinator NEWMAP-EIB, Engr.Anda Ayuba Yalaks said the initiative is a strategic extension of governments longstanding efforts to address land degradation, strengthen institutional capacity, and empower communities to adapt to the changing climate.
He said: “The issues to be addressed are issues of adverse gully erosion,flood challenges and other forms of land degredations across the country. We will attend to land degradation at the initial stage and see that we handle and stop it from further expansion.While in the areas were erosion is manifested,we will bring a lasting solution to it.It is a project that is going to come with the empowerment of devastated community, support livelihood and bring about sustainable development.”
The Head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Regional Hub for West and Central Africa, Mr Roger Stuart, said the project exemplified the type of high impact, climate focused operation the EIB is proud to support.He said:”In fact, it is the first project of the EIB in sub Saharan Africa solely dedicated to climate adaptation.The project is about reversing damage caused by erosion and human activities.It will support communities and it’s about restoring nature.”
In his goodwill message,the Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria Mr Gautier Mignot, said they are in the country to support local policies.
In his welcome address,the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Chairman Technical Committee of NEWMAP-EIB,Mahmud Adam Kambari said with its multidisciplinary approach and partnership model, the project embodies Nigeria’s vision for resilient landscapes, sustainable infrastructure, and robust stakeholders’ engagement.
He stated:”We are particularly grateful to the European Investment Bank for not only recognising the urgency of Nigeria’s environmental challenges, but also for standing in solidarity with us as we build back smarter, greener and resilient cities. This partnership reflects the kind of transformative collaboration the world needs, one that prioritises people, planet, and prosperity.”
