From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
In a bid to circumvent the erosion threat and address soil degradation, food insecurity, and land remediation, Nigeria has secured €175 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Speaking during the launch of the European Investment Bank-Assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) today in Abuja, Minister of Environment and chairman of the Steering Committee of NEWMAP-EIB, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said that the initiative is aimed at building upon and deepening the achievements recorded under the project using the Strategic Watershed Management approach.
“The project became technically effective in 2023 and now disbursement-effective in 2025. It is to be implemented over a period of five years across 23 states, namely: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto,” he said.
According to him, in 2010, the Federal Government, with support from the World Bank, launched the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP-IDA) to address soil degradation, food insecurity, and land remediation under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
The multi-sectoral NEWMAP-IDA project, he explained, stabilised gully erosion sites, improved livelihoods, and strengthened institutions.
“It commenced in 2013 with seven states and later expanded to 23 states. The project closed in June 2022.
“Like its predecessor, the NEWMAP-EIB is overseen by the Federal Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister of Environment and comprising members from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
“At the technical committee level, it is chaired by the Permanent Secretary. The project is driven by a Federal Project Management Unit under the co-ordination of a National Project Co-ordinator. This institutional arrangement is being replicated at the state level.
“The NEWMAP-EIB has been restructured into two key components: Erosion and Watershed Management Infrastructure Investment and Project Management,” the minister stated.
Lawal, however, regretted that gully erosion and annual flooding have continued to cause havoc and loss of lives, destruction of property, as well as severe environmental degradation, particularly across rural communities, urban centres, and farmlands.
He, therefore, saw the launch as a clear testimony to the power of collaboration and shared vision, adding that the support of the EIB in climate finance has provided Nigeria with a vital lifeline for erosion control, flood management, and watershed restoration.
“We are deeply grateful for your trust and confidence in this shared vision. Partnerships such as this strengthen our resolve to take a firm stand against the devastating impacts of climate change.
“The Federal Government has released ₦750 million as the first tranche of counterpart funding to the Federal Project Management Unit. This enabled preparatory activities such as office setup, equipment, and other operations necessary for the project’s take-off. At the same time, participating states have shown commitment by also providing counterpart funds to their State Project Implementing Units, further ensuring the initiative’s success and sustainability. The success of this project will largely depend on the commitments from state governments. I, therefore, urge state governors to increase their counterpart fund contributions just as the Federal Government is also processing another tranche of disbursement,” he urged.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari, had reiterated that the project was made possible through the support of the EIB, which is a critical step towards the collective endeavour to confront the challenges head-on with innovative, inclusive, and scalable solutions.
“The NEWMAP-EIB initiative is a strategic extension of our longstanding efforts to address land degradation, strengthen institutional capacity, and empower communities to adapt to the changing climate. With its multidisciplinary approach and partnership model, this project embodies our vision for resilient landscapes, sustainable infrastructure, and robust stakeholders’ engagement,” he said.
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