By Chinenye Onwusonye
Nigeria’s Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project has recorded major gains in land restoration, climate resilience and rural livelihoods, according to a statement issued by the project’s national office following its Mid-Term Review conducted in April 2026.
The statement, signed by Jane Ozuruoke, Head of Communications and Public Relations at the ACReSAL National Office, Abuja, and made available on Monday, said the World Bank-supported initiative had restored 922,717.86 hectares of degraded land across northern Nigeria, representing 97 per cent of the project’s overall target.
ACReSAL, which operates in 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, is designed to tackle desertification, strengthen climate resilience and improve sustainable land management in regions heavily affected by environmental degradation and climate-related risks.
According to the statement, more than 9.3 million people have directly benefited from the intervention, far exceeding the project’s initial target, with women accounting for nearly half of the beneficiaries.
The project also reportedly recorded a 3.6 per cent increase in vegetation cover through satellite analysis, while 25,298 hectares were developed under irrigation and drainage systems. In addition, 965 solar-powered boreholes were constructed to improve water supply in vulnerable communities.
The statement noted that ACReSAL has developed 20 Strategic Catchment Management Plans described as the first coordinated framework for sustainable natural resource management in Nigeria.
It added that the project was helping to reduce tensions associated with the long-standing farmer-herder crisis by restoring degraded rangelands and improving access to water resources in conflict-prone communities.
“By restoring degraded landscapes and establishing functional rangelands, the project is reducing pressure on scarce resources that often trigger conflicts,” the statement said.
The project also introduced community-based conflict resolution mechanisms and early warning and response systems aimed at preventing violence linked to resource scarcity.
On socio-economic impact, the statement revealed that about 82.2 per cent of beneficiaries reported increased incomes, while 72.7 per cent recorded higher crop yields.
Median monthly household income among beneficiaries reportedly rose from ₦50,000 to ₦80,000, representing a 60 per cent increase.
Women’s economic participation also improved significantly, with 9,659 women gaining secure access to land and engaging in community-based economic activities.
Institutionally, the statement said the project supported the issuance of a ₦50 billion sovereign green bond, described as the first of its kind in West Africa, while also advancing plans for 774 soil health laboratories nationwide under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Mid-Term Review reportedly rated the project highly in effectiveness and impact, although it identified areas requiring further attention, including expansion of community financing schemes and stronger institutional frameworks to sustain long-term gains.
With 23 months left before project closure and additional financing being considered, the statement said the next phase of implementation would focus on scaling community-led restoration efforts, strengthening monitoring systems and consolidating institutional sustainability.
The statement described ACReSAL as a model for integrated climate resilience programming in Sub-Saharan Africa, combining environmental restoration with livelihood support, governance reforms and climate adaptation measures.
