The development of the great green wall in the Sahel of Nigeria with some local constraints in sustainability, Prof. Njidda Gadzama
Professor Njidda Gadzama
University of Maiduguri
Nigeria
Purpose: The purpose of developing the Great Green Wall (GGW) Project initially fi nanced by the United Nation's Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund, is a Pan African proposal in greening the Sahel of Africa from West (Dakar) to the east(Djibouti). It aims at reducing poverty and soil degradation in this region, taking into account the eff ects of desertifi cation and climate change on sustainability of livelihoods.
Design/methodology/approach: Several desertification attenuation projects in Nigeria are employing diff erent methods for maximum benefi ts obtainable from the objectives of the particular projects. As noted above however, the approach of GGW is to improve the alternative livelihoods of the people by their active participating in the implementation of the Project. It is also noted that environmental impact assessment, community reconnaissance or needs assessments might be initial part of pre-project activities, thereby making the communities more aware and educated of the impending environmental problems.
Findings: Desertifi cation has reached an alarming state in Nigeria. The frontline desert threatened States of Nigeria constitute
43% of the land mass of the country. With increased pressure of desertifi cation, exacerbated by a period of prolonged drought
of more than 20 years, climate change and human activities, it is becoming increasingly diffi cult to obtain sustainability in the management of the fragile lands and the region’s ecosystem. Strategic interventions in combating the problem of desertifi cation in Nigeria have attenuated some of the detrimental social, economic and environmental impacts on the affected communities. Programmes and projects have strengthened the resilienceof the people, participating in sand dune stabilisation, the Great Green Wall Sahara Sahel Initiative (GGWSSI), including shelterbelt developments. Government has sustained inputs in environmentally friendly agriculture and also encouraged synergetic collaborative activities with international and national NGOs, International Agencies and local Institutions.
Originality and Value: These results/activities give evidence of the increased public awareness of environmental degradation due to desertification and climate change in Nigeria; the realisation in environmental stabilisation needs with ready participation of the communities for improved livelihoods in environmental activities and arid agriculture as supported by the National Great Green Wall (NAGGW) program of the country; resulting in internalisation of these projects supporting livelihoods for sustainability
in the Sahel of Nigeria.The scope of the activities of development, achievements with some constraints of the NAGGW are briefly summarised and discussed.
Keywords: Great Green Wall; GGW; desertification in the Sahel; drought and climate change; fragile ecosystem; environmental impacts; biodiversity loss; ecosystem management; community participation; sustainable management; livelihoods; synergetic collaboration.
Citation: Gadzama, N. (2016): The development of the great green wall in the Sahel of Nigeria with some local constraints in sustainability. In Ahmed, A. (Ed.): Europe at a Crossroads and the Impact of Globalization, Vol. 14, pp. 215-230.
