Federal Government and World Bank Launch Strategic $700 Million Blueprint to Restore Nigeria’s Shrinking Water Bodies

Nigeria partners with the World Bank on a $700M ACReSAL project to restore shrinking water bodies and combat desertification across 19 northern states.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 4:36 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Punch Newspapers

Multilateral Initiative Targets Restoration of Northern Nigerian Watersheds

The Federal Government of Nigeria has entered a high stakes partnership with the World Bank to validate a comprehensive ecological roadmap aimed at preserving the nation’s dwindling water resources. This strategic intervention focuses on nine specific catchment areas that are currently suffering from severe environmental degradation and climate instability. Managing Director of Mecon Engineering and Services Ltd, Chuka Ofodile, emphasized during the validation workshop that these catchments function as natural economic zones defined by their water boundaries. By shifting the focus from political borders to natural watersheds, the initiative seeks to create a sustainable framework for regional development that prioritizes the health of the river systems over administrative divisions.

Climate Resilience Strategy to Protect Vulnerable Agricultural Communities

As the environmental crisis intensifies, millions of citizens across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory are grappling with the tangible effects of advancing deserts and unreliable rainfall. Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal noted that these ecological shifts are not merely scientific abstractions but direct threats to food security and the livelihoods of farmers and herders. The ACReSAL project serves as a proactive defense mechanism against these pressures, aiming to empower local populations to manage their natural resources with greater autonomy. By addressing the root causes of land degradation, the government hopes to stabilize communities that have been historically displaced by the shrinking of vital water bodies.

Financial Backing and the Technical Scope of the ACReSAL Project

The broader Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes project is bolstered by a significant $700 million investment from the World Bank. This funding facilitates the implementation of 20 Strategic Catchment Management Plans, which act as technical blueprints for landscape restoration and sustainable farming practices. While eleven plans have already received official endorsement, the current validation phase covers critical regions including the Hawul-Kilange, Benue-Mada, and Sarkin-Pawa-Kaduna catchments. National Coordinator Abdulhamid Umar highlighted that these documents are informed by extensive community co...