OPENING REMARKS BY THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, BALARABE ABBAS LAWAL, AT THE ACRESAL PROJECT MID-TERM REVIEW (MTR) ON APRIL 16, 2026
Protocol
It is my honour and privilege to warmly welcome you all to the Mid-Term Review of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project, ACReSAL. Your presence here today, in such strength and shared purpose, reflects the collective commitment that has brought this project to this important milestone.
2. I would like to specially commend the Kaduna State Government, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani CON, for providing an enabling and supportive environment for hosting this important event. Your Excellency, we deeply appreciate your leadership, your hospitality, and your commitment to advancing initiatives that promote resilience and sustainable development.
3 This Mid-Term Review is not a ceremonial gathering. It is a moment of reflection and accountability — a time to take an honest look at where we started, how far we have come, and what still lies ahead. It has been convened with one clear objective: to ensure that when ACReSAL concludes, it delivers real and lasting transformation for the people and landscapes of northern Nigeria.
4. Since the launch of ACReSAL, we have made commendable progress. Across participating states and the FCT, implementation is well underway. We have seen advances in land restoration, agroforestry and afforestation efforts, the rehabilitation of degraded watersheds, and the provision of livelihood support to vulnerable communities. Institutional frameworks are in place, procurement processes have progressed, and thousands of beneficiaries are already beginning to feel the positive impact of this investment. These achievements deserve recognition, as they are the result of the dedication and hard work of our state teams, technical experts, and communities.
5. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now at the midpoint — not the finish line. The vision of ACReSAL is ambitious, and the targets before us are significant. There is still much work to be done. We must accelerate implementation, deepen community engagement, strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, and ensure that every Naira and every Dollar committed delivers maximum value and impact.
6. This review provides us with an opportunity to take a serious and honest look at existing gaps, to adjust our strategies where necessary, and to renew our collective energy for the second phase of the project. I urge all participating states and the FCT to approach this process with sincerity and patriotism. Share your successes, but also be open about your challenges. This is not a platform for performance — it is a space for practical, solution-driven dialogue.
7. On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I extend sincere appreciation to the World Bank for its continued partnership, technical support, and financial commitment. Your involvement in ACReSAL reflects a shared recognition that building climate resilience in the Sahel is not only a national priority, but a global responsibility. We value your expertise and oversight, and we look forward to the insights your team will contribute during this review.
8. There is still important work ahead for all of us. The second half of this project will require even stronger collaboration, innovation, and accountability. We rely on your continued support to ensure that ACReSAL achieves its full potential and delivers meaningful impact.
9.Your Excellency, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, the people and landscapes of northern Nigeria depend on our actions. Desertification and land degradation will not wait, and neither should we. Let us use this opportunity wisely — to speak honestly, listen carefully, and act decisively.
10. Welcome once again to the ACReSAL Mid-Term Review. Let us make it count.
Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
