Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project

The Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project recently held a strategic engagement meeting with the State Controller of the Correctional Center in Yobe State. The meeting focused on creating pathways to involve both custodial staff and inmates in green job opportunities.

Key areas of discussion included training programs on seedling production and sustainable waste management practices. These initiatives are designed to equip participants with practical skills that support environmental restoration while also improving livelihoods and reintegration prospects.

This development marks a significant step toward the project’s mission of ensuring that no one is left behind. By collaborating with both arms of the correctional system, the Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project aims to promote inclusive adaptation mechanisms and empower all stakeholders to contribute to climate resilience and sustainable development.

*Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa bar katuh!!*

As the blessed month of Ramadan comes to an end, we thank Allah for the strength to fast, pray, and seek His mercy. It has been a time of reflection, forgiveness, and spiritual growth.
O Allah, accept our fasting, our prayers, and all our acts of worship. Forgive our sins, guide us on the straight path, and grant us the ability to remain steadfast in our faith even after Ramadan. As we welcome Eid, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful and blessed Eid Mubarak. May Allah fill your hearts with peace, happiness, and endless blessings.
🫱🏽‍🫲🏽

As we embark on the holy month of Ramadan, the team at Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project wishes all Muslims a blessed and peaceful Ramadan Mubarak! May this sacred period bring hope, renewal, and prosperity to our communities.

We remain committed to empowering lives and restoring the environment in Yobe State.

Gov. Buni Drives Plantations of 5 Million Trees Through Sahara Restoration Project

In a bold move to confront desert encroachment and accelerate climate action, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, has intensified efforts to drive the planting of five million seedlings across Yobe State under the Sahara Restoration Drive Project.

The ambitious initiative is strategically designed to restore degraded lands, protect vulnerable communities, and promote environmental sustainability through large-scale afforestation across designated catchment areas in the state.

In a major boost to the project, the Yobe State Sahara Restoration Drive recently secured a Letter of No Objection from the Presidency through the National Council on Climate Change — marking the first time such approval has been granted for a project of its kind. The endorsement affirms the project’s alignment with national climate policies and reinforces federal confidence in Yobe’s environmental framework.

Speaking after a meeting with the Governor, the Project Coordinator, Muhammad Musa, described the initiative as “a transformative environmental intervention that will significantly reduce desertification while improving livelihoods and strengthening climate resilience.”

Governor Buni has also signed an Executive Order to ensure effective coordination and seamless implementation of the project. The directive is expected to enhance inter-agency collaboration, fast-track seedling preparation in nurseries, and establish monitoring systems to ensure the successful planting and survival of the five million trees.

Environmental experts have hailed the project as one of the most ambitious state-led afforestation drives in Northern Nigeria, noting its potential to improve soil fertility, conserve biodiversity, and secure a greener future for generations to come.

With strong political will, federal endorsement, and a clear implementation strategy, Yobe State is charting a decisive path toward environmental restoration

A remarkable chapter has been written in the history of Yobe State under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni, CON.

The Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project has achieved a historic milestone by receiving a Letter of No Objection from the Presidency through the National Council on Climate Change. Notably, this marks the first time in the history of the Council that such a letter has been granted for a project of this nature—an outstanding and commendable achievement for Yobe State.
His Excellency deeply appreciates Mr. Michael Ivenso, Director at the National Council on Climate Change, for his unwavering support, dedication, and commitment in ensuring the successful processing and approval of the project documentation.
As part of his strong commitment to environmental sustainability and development, His Excellency, Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni, CON, has also signed an Executive Order to strengthen the coordination and effective implementation of the Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project. This decisive action further demonstrates the administration’s resolve to combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and promote sustainable development across the state.

Indeed, this achievement stands as a testament to purposeful leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to environmental protection and climate resilience.

Long live Yobe State.
Long live His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON.

The Project Coordinator of the Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project participated in the Nigeria Launch Programme under the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) Fund, aimed at supporting economic diversification and strengthening long-term resilience.
The programme is implemented in partnership with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).
Nigeria’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil and gas revenues, making it vulnerable to fiscal volatility and transition-related risks as global energy systems shift toward cleaner alternatives. The BOGA Fund Programme in Nigeria is designed to support a managed, evidence-driven transition by strengthening the analytical foundation for policy and investment decisions. It promotes coordinated policy dialogue and translates research findings into actionable recommendations aligned with Nigeria’s national development priorities, including its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

Today marks the third and final day of the Foundational Training Workshop.
The Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project remains fully committed to its mandate and has officially commenced work on climate resilience in Yobe State.
We sincerely appreciate our leader and role model, His Excellency, Honorable Dr. Mai Mala Buni, CON, for his unwavering support and deep commitment to the development of the Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project.
The mission of the Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project is open to everyone across the state. In view of the critical challenges we face from climate change and land degradation, collective responsibility remains the only sustainable path forward for the development of Yobe State.

Day 2 of the foundational training workshop focused on ecosystem restoration and afforestation, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods.

The training is designed to actively engage staff in identifying critical challenges and exploring possible solutions for the development of the Sahara Restoration Project.

Given the priority nature of this workshop for staff capacity building, it aligns with the mission and vision of His Excellency, Honorable Dr. Mai Mala Buni, CON, to implement programs that deliver measurable results and sustainable impact for the state.

The Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project recently conducted a three-day foundational training workshop, which was attended by key government stakeholders. Among those present were the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Honorable Ahmed Musa Dumbol; the Secretary to the State Government, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties; and the Commissioner of Environment, represented by the Director of Forestry and Wildlife.
The training workshop focused on capacity development for staff and strategic engagement for effective implementation of the project’s objectives. During the workshop, the Yobe Sahara Restoration Drive Project also outlined its action plan for advancing climate resilience and ecological restoration activities across the state.
This initiative aligns with the mission and vision of His Excellency, Honorable Dr. Mai Mala Buni, CON, toward achieving sustainable resilience and development in Yobe State. The project is driven by the guiding principle of “leaving no one behind.

The Yobe State Sahara Restoration Drive Project is set to commence its three-day foundational training workshop for its staff.
Considering the critical need for effective management and coordination across various sectors, this workshop represents a key step toward achieving sustainable development in the state.
We sincerely appreciate our leader, His Excellency, Honorable Dr. Mai Mala Buni, CON, for his unwavering support and for providing the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in Yobe State.
Our heartfelt gratitude also goes to our partners for their continuous support, guidance, and encouragement, which have been instrumental in this journey.
Kudos to everyone involved.

Climate Change Commission PH UN Environment Programme

Warm congratulations to our lead partner, the Executive Secretary of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory, Mr. Nabil Ben Khetra, on his appointment as President of the African Network of Reservoir Organizations (RAOB).
This prestigious role is a testament to his exemplary leadership, vision, and steadfast commitment to advancing sustainable water resources management across Africa. We wish him every success in this important responsibility and look forward to the positive impact of his leadership.
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP