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Yobe State University is set to introduce a policy requiring every student to plant and nurture at least one tree from admission until graduation as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Bashir Tahir, disclosed this on Thursday while flagging off the university’s 2026 Tree Planting Initiative, organised by the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management under the theme, “Greening Our Faculty for a Sustainable Future.” Tahir said students may be required to provide evidence that they planted and properly maintained their trees before they can be cleared to receive their certificates.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the initiative would help students develop a stronger understanding of environmental protection while contributing to efforts to tackle erosion, flooding and other ecological challenges. He noted that trees provide shade, fruits and a healthier environment for learning, while also serving as natural laboratories for students studying biology, forestry, geography and related disciplines. Tahir further directed the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management to work with the Directorate of Works and Physical Planning to organise annual tree-planting competitions among faculties and departments, with awards planned for the best-performing units.
The initiative was championed by two 300-level students of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Mohammed Mallam Mohammed and Hauwa Ahmed Damagum, who received commendation from the university management. Support also came from the North East Arid Zone Development Programme, which donated nursery equipment and planting materials, and Green City Garden. The launch culminated in the Vice-Chancellor planting the first tree, officially commencing the 2026 programme. The university said the initiative reflects its broader commitment to environmental stewardship and could make tree preservation a lasting part of students’ responsibilities beyond the campus
