Vice-President Kashim Shettima has announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria plans to plant 20 billion trees during the upcoming rainy season as part of an ambitious national reforestation and environmental sustainability initiative.
The announcement came on Saturday following Shettima’s visit to several agricultural and industrial establishments in Ethiopia.
During his tour, Shettima visited the Adama Dairy Farms, Luke Avocado Nursery, Shera Dibandiba Mojo Family Integrated Farm, Biyyo Poultry Farm, and Bishoftu Pea Farm. These visits were aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and industrial development between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
Central to Shettima’s visit was the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, a program he described as a “win-win for all.” According to him, the initiative successfully combines environmental restoration efforts with job creation opportunities.
Shettima expressed admiration for Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Programme, calling it a model for integrating climate action with economic growth. He emphasized that Nigeria intends to emulate this success by mobilizing its population to achieve the ambitious tree-planting target.
“We intend to plant 20 billion trees in the next rainy season. It requires a lot of planning, energy, and drive, which Ethiopia was able to galvanise its population into doing,” Shettima stated.
He further described Ethiopia as a beacon of hope and a pathfinder for Africa’s renaissance. “I was overwhelmed with joy that the real economic renaissance of Africa is in the offing. Ethiopia has become the pathfinder, the front runner in us reclaiming our pride and our continent. We are mightily proud of them,” he said.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s population of over 100 million people, Shettima noted that the country’s success would have a ripple effect across East and Southern Africa.
The Vice-President also acknowledged Ethiopia’s remarkable achievement in wheat self-sufficiency. He pointed out that Ethiopia has transitioned from importing $1 billion worth of wheat annually to now exporting to neighboring countries such as Djibouti and Kenya.
Shettima stressed the importance of collaboration between Nigeria and Ethiopia, stating, “If Nigeria and Ethiopia work, Africa will work. Jointly, the two of us constitute over 350 million people, more than the population of the United States. We have to make these two countries work harmoniously for the betterment of our continent.”
Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, described the visit as “phenomenal.” He affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to replicating Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation model in Nigeria.
“President Bola Tinubu has a whole lot of respect for the people of Ethiopia. Why we came here is to understudy what we have seen and report back to him. I believe that he will replicate this in a much stronger and bolder scope,” Uzoma said.
Uzoma also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy by expanding agricultural exports, including avocado, pineapple, mango, cashew, and cocoa.
Okay.ng reports that this visit marks a significant step in Nigeria’s pursuit of sustainable agricultural development and environmental conservation through international cooperation.
