The World Bank has approved an additional $500 million in financing for Nigeria to address recurring flooding, restore degraded agricultural lands and improve the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly in the northern part of the country.
The funding is expected to support the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle climate-related challenges, improve agricultural production and reduce conflicts between farmers and herders in vulnerable communities.
According to the World Bank, the financing was approved under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project. The programme will cover 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a target of benefiting approximately 6.6 million people by 2031.
Part of the funding will be directed towards restoring about 1.4 million hectares of degraded land, rehabilitating watersheds, controlling erosion and improving water management across affected communities.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen agricultural activities by helping farmers manage the effects of climate change, particularly in areas frequently affected by drought, flooding and land degradation.
Flooding has remained a major challenge in several parts of Nigeria, destroying homes, farmlands, businesses and infrastructure while forcing residents to leave their communities.
The World Bank’s latest funding is expected to strengthen long-term climate resilience and support communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on agriculture.
However, effective implementation and proper monitoring will be important to ensure that the funding delivers meaningful improvements to affected communities.
