Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced on June 28, 2025, that the federal government will embark on a nationwide tree-planting campaign to sow 20 billion trees during the upcoming rainy season, as part of its renewed commitment to reforestation and environmental sustainability . Speaking after touring Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative—where over 4 billion seedlings have been planted—Shettima described the programme as a model for “combining climate action with economic opportunity” and pledged to adapt its successes for Nigeria’s distinct ecological challenges .
Shettima highlighted that deforestation in Nigeria has contributed to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions, noting that between 2001 and 2022, the country lost over 1.25 million hectares of tree cover . To reverse this trend, the government will establish regional nurseries, provide free seedlings to communities, and partner with state governments on logistics and site selection. The campaign will prioritise critical watersheds and degraded farmlands, ensuring trees deliver both ecological services and livelihood opportunities for rural youth.
Central to the plan is job creation: Shettima estimated that 500,000 temporary roles in seed collection, nursery management, and planting operations will be created, offering hourly wages and skills training. “This is not just an environmental programme,” he said, “it is a socio-economic stimulus for rural Nigeria.” The Vice-President further committed to monitoring survival rates through satellite imagery and community reporting, aiming for at least 70 percent seedling survival two years post-planting .
Shettima called on private sector investors and civil-society groups to join the effort through the newly established National Reforestation Fund, which will match every naira pledged by businesses with federal grants. He also invited international partners—citing Brazil’s biofuel expertise and Ethiopia’s Green Legacy achievements—to share technical know-how. “Climate change knows no borders,” he remarked. “Our response must be equally boundary-crossing.”
With the rainy season set to begin in July, implementation teams are finalising seedling distribution and planting schedules. If successfully executed, the 20 billion-tree initiative could sequester millions of tonnes of CO₂, restore degraded lands, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s response to climate change.
