02/07/2026
RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVE GREEN NIGERIA CHALLENGE, GOVERNOR NAMADI REAFFIRMS JIGAWA'S COMMITMENT TO CLIMATE ACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi has reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Jigawa State Government to combating climate change through bold environmental policies, ecological restoration, and community-driven climate action, as he officially launched the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Green Nigeria Challenge in the state.
The Governor made the declaration during the inauguration of the Jigawa State Governance Structure for the Renewed Hope Initiative Green Nigeria Challenge, alongside the formal inauguration of Environmental Societies in tertiary institutions and School Environmental Clubs at the Dutse Township Stadium.
The programme was officially inaugurated by Her Excellency, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, the wife of Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who represented Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Addressing participants, Governor Namadi described climate change as one of the defining development challenges of the 21st century, stressing that Jigawa State, situated within Nigeria's fragile semi-arid belt and along the Great Green Wall corridor, remains highly vulnerable to desertification, land degradation, recurrent flooding, and declining agricultural productivity.
As a frontline state in the Great Green Wall, our people have long lived with the realities of ecological degradation, we understand the consequences of shrinking vegetation, degraded lands, and changing weather patterns, yet, despite these challenges, our people remain resilient and determined to build a greener, healthier and more sustainable future," the Governor stated.
Governor Namadi noted that his administration has placed environmental sustainability and climate resilience at the centre of its development agenda through deliberate investments and strategic policies designed to restore degraded ecosystems, strengthen livelihoods, improve food security, and promote sustainable economic growth.
He explained that the inauguration of the State Governance Structure for the Green Nigeria Challenge represents another significant milestone in the state's environmental transformation agenda.
This initiative aligns seamlessly with our recently approved Jigawa State Climate Change Policy and reviewed Environmental Law Sector to complements our efforts to promote environmental sustainability, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and responsible natural resource management. It also supports the environmental priorities contained in our 12-Point Development Agenda, particularly in the areas of food security, water resources management, infrastructure development, youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth."
The Governor emphasized that climate action in Jigawa State has progressed beyond policy formulation to practical interventions that are delivering measurable benefits to communities across the state.
Recognising the critical role of young people in safeguarding the environment, the Governor disclosed that nearly 3,000 students have already been mobilised into conservation teams across senior secondary schools, while six Environmental Societies have been established in tertiary institutions to champion tree planting, biodiversity conservation, environmental sanitation, recycling and erosion control.
To further stimulate innovation and grassroots participation in environmental conservation, Governor Namadi announced a grand prize of ₦50 million for outstanding Environmental Societies and youth organisations participating in the Green Nigeria Challenge.
He also directed State and Local Government Environmental Marshals to provide continuous mentorship and technical support to the newly established Environmental Clubs and Environmental Societies across the state. His Exellency said, the programme implementation will be monitored through geo-tagging technology and the Survival Rate Index (SRI) to guarantee transparency, accountability and measurable environmental outcomes.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi expressed profound appreciation to Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for initiating the Green Nigeria Challenge under the Renewed Hope Initiative, describing it as a timely national intervention that complements the environmental and climate resilience efforts of sub-national governments.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would deepen public participation in environmental protection, inspire a new generation of environmental responsibilities and accelerate Jigawa State's journey towards becoming a greener, healthier and more climate-resilient society.
Earlier in her remarks, Her Excellency Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, who represented the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, formally inaugurated the Renewed Hope Initiative Green Nigeria Challenge in Jigawa State and commended Governor Namadi's administration for demonstrating exemplary leadership in environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
She explained that the Green Nigeria Challenge is a flagship environmental programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative aimed at mobilising households, schools, tertiary institutions, communities and state governments to embrace tree planting, environmental sanitation and climate-conscious development as practical responses to the growing threat of climate change.
She observed that Jigawa State occupies a strategic position in Nigeria's climate action agenda because of its vulnerability to desertification and environmental degradation. She encouraged residents to plant drought-resistant tree species such as Neem (Dogonyaro), Moringa, Date Palm, Mango and Guava, while urging Environmental Clubs and Environmental Societies to serve as ambassadors of biodiversity conservation, environmental education and sustainable natural resource management within their respective communities.
The Renewed Hope Initiative Green Nigeria Challenge is expected to strengthen collaboration among government institutions, educational institutions, communities, development partners and young people in advancing environmental responsibilities and building resilient ecosystems.
Umar Namadi Jigawa Acresal Acresal Padac Foundatn United Nations Development Programme - UNDP