By Abdulsalam Alkali
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for the strict enforcement of environmental protection laws across Nigeria to combat rising deforestation, while announcing automatic scholarships for 540 local government workers to study forestry-related courses at the Federal College of Forestry, Maiduguri.
The governor made the announcement on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual Top Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Environment and National Tree Planting Campaign in Maiduguri.
Zulum expressed concern over the indiscriminate felling of trees, saying that although Borno State has enacted laws prescribing stiff penalties for offenders, enforcement has remained weak.
Borno State Government has recently passed a law that provides stringent punishment for those that fell trees indiscriminately, but unfortunately the provisions of these laws have not been effectively enforced,” he said.
He noted that attempts to enforce the law had attracted public criticism, with some residents arguing that the measures affected their ability to gather firewood for cooking.
To strengthen environmental management and address the shortage of forestry professionals, the governor directed the Secretary to the State Government to coordinate with all 27 local government councils to nominate 20 staff each from agriculture and natural resources departments for admission into the Federal College of Forestry.
According to him, the state government will fully sponsor the workers’ education and transfer their service from local government to the state civil service upon completion of their studies.
The initiative will benefit 540 local government workers across the state.
Zulum also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the Federal and State Governments to tackle desertification and promote afforestation through effective enforcement of environmental laws.
“There must be vertical and horizontal coordination for us to achieve the objectives of halting desertification and promoting afforestation across the country,” he said, urging both levels of government to adopt stricter penalties for environmental offenders.
The governor highlighted his administration’s environmental initiatives, including ecosystem restoration, afforestation programmes, improved waste management systems and the promotion of renewable energy solutions.
He also appreciated the Federal Ministry of Environment for selecting Maiduguri to host the retreat, describing the decision as recognition of the state’s progress in restoring peace, rebuilding infrastructure and revitalising socio-economic activities.
Zulum further acknowledged the ministry’s support following the devastating 2024 flood disaster, noting that it donated ₦50 million to assist the state in mitigating the impact of the floods.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawan, commended Governor Zulum’s commitment to environmental restoration and post-conflict recovery in Borno State.
The minister said the retreat would focus on strengthening environmental regulation and standards enforcement, improving institutional performance, enhancing collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments, and promoting accountability in environmental governance.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening Enforcement, Innovation and Institutional Performance for Sustainable Environmental Governance,” was attended by senior federal and state government officials, including former Deputy Governor of Borno State, Hon. Usman Mamman Durkwa; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Salihu Aminu; Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani; Head of Service, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Ghuluze; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Malumbe; representatives of the Shehu of Borno, heads of federal agencies and parastatals, commissioners, and other top government officials.
