Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for the strict enforcement of environmental laws across Nigeria to combat the growing threat of deforestation.
The governor made the call on Wednesday evening while declaring open the 2026 Annual Top Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Environment and National Tree Planting Campaign in Maiduguri.
As part of efforts to strengthen environmental management, Zulum announced automatic scholarships for 540 local government workers to study forestry-related courses at the Federal College of Forestry, Maiduguri. He directed all 27 local government councils in the state to nominate 20 workers each from their agriculture and natural resources departments for the programme.
He said the Borno State Government would fully sponsor the workers and absorb them into the state civil service upon completion of their studies.
Expressing concern over widespread tree felling, the governor noted that although Borno has enacted laws prescribing stiff penalties for deforestation, enforcement has remained weak due to public resistance.
Zulum stressed that stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments is essential to halt desertification, promote afforestation and ensure strict implementation of environmental laws across the country.
He highlighted his administration’s environmental initiatives, including ecosystem restoration, afforestation programmes, improved waste management and renewable energy projects, while commending the Federal Ministry of Environment for choosing Maiduguri to host the retreat.
The governor also appreciated the ministry for its support following the 2024 flood disaster, noting that it donated N50 million to assist the state in mitigating the impact of the floods.
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawan, praised Governor Zulum for his commitment to environmental restoration and post-conflict reconstruction in Borno State.
He said the retreat, themed “Strengthening Enforcement, Innovation and Institutional Performance for Sustainable Environmental Governance,” would focus on improving environmental regulation, institutional performance, collaboration with sub-national governments and accountability in environmental governance.
The event was attended by senior federal and state government officials, heads of environmental agencies, commissioners and other stakeholders.
