In a bid to support Nigeria in erosion control, flood management, and watershed restoration, the Federal Government has launched the European Investment Bank (EIB)-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, said it marked a significant milestone in the nation’s climate resilience efforts.

He explained that the project is designed to tackle soil degradation, improve food security, and promote land restoration in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

“The initiative reaffirms Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to sustainable land and water resources management, climate resilience, and community development. We will safeguard lives, protect farmlands and infrastructure, and ultimately enhance livelihoods across more communities nationwide,” the Minister said.

According to him, the support of the EIB in climate finance provides Nigeria with the opportunity to strengthen erosion control, flood management, and watershed restoration.

The Minister noted that the Federal Government, with support from the World Bank, had initiated the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP-IDA) in 2013 with seven pilot states, later scaled up to 23 states. It was formally closed in June 2022.

“To consolidate and scale up the achievements of NEWMAP-IDA, additional financing from the European Investment Bank was secured, with a facility of 175 million euros approved by the EIB in 2020. The updated project, now designated NEWMAP-EIB, has successfully undergone all requisite technical and financial stages and is now ready for launch,” Lawal said.

The project will be implemented over five years across 23 states, including 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 added that the Federal Government has released ₦750 million as the first tranche of counterpart funding for the project.

Also speaking, the Head of the EIB Regional Hub for West and Central Africa, Mr. Roger Stuart, assured the Federal Government of the bank’s support to tackle soil degradation in Nigeria by 2030.

The National Project Coordinator, NEWMAP-EIB, Mr. Anda Yalaks, said the project seeks to find lasting solutions to climate and environmental issues.

The Director, International Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Alkali Bello, said the project would reduce Nigeria’s vulnerability to soil erosion.

A representative from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Mr. George Earhart, said erosion threatens livelihoods, adding that UNOPS will support Nigeria to ensure climate resilience.