Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced automatic scholarships for 540 local government workers to study forestry-related courses at the Federal College of Forestry, Maiduguri, as part of efforts to strengthen environmental management and build professional capacity in the sector.
The governor made the announcement on Wednesday while declaring open the 2026 Annual Top Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Environment and National Tree Planting Campaign, held in Maiduguri.
He used the occasion to call for the strict enforcement of environmental laws across Nigeria to curb the growing menace of deforestation.
While expressing concern over the indiscriminate felling of trees, Babagana Zulum noted that although Borno State has enacted laws prescribing stiff penalties for deforestation, enforcement remains a major challenge.
According to him, “Borno State Government has recently passed a law that provides stringent punishment for those that fell trees anyhow, but unfortunately the provisions of these laws were not enforced.”
“When we decided to enforce penalties, we received comments from the public that government is trying to stop people from going about their legitimate duties of getting firewood to cook their food,” Babagana Zulum stated.
The governor observed that despite the establishment of the Federal College of Forestry, there is widespread apathy towards forestry education, and directed the Secretary to the State Government to coordinate with all 27 local government councils to nominate at least 20 workers for specialised forestry training.
“On this note, I want to use this platform to direct the Secretary to the State Government to direct local government councils to identify 20 workers from agriculture and natural resources to be admitted into the College of Forestry. Borno State Government will sponsor them and will also streamline their services from local government to state government at the completion of their studies,” the governor directed.
Babagana Zulum further emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the Federal and State Governments, saying coordinated action is critical to tackling desertification and promoting afforestation nationwide.
According to him, “There must be vertical and horizontal coordination for us to achieve the objectives of halting desertification and promoting afforestation across the country.”
“What I mean by vertical and horizontal coordination is the effective enforcement that has to be implemented by both the federal and state governments. They should articulate a serious position that ensures stiffer penalties for defaulters,” he added.
The governor highlighted his administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability through ecosystem restoration, afforestation, improved waste management and renewable energy initiatives.
He stressed, “Let me begin by expressing my appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Environment and the entire leadership of the ministry for selecting Maiduguri as the host city for this retreat.”
The governor stated, “This decision is not only a demonstration of confidence in our state but also a recognition of the remarkable progress that has been made in restoring peace, rebuilding infrastructure and revitalising socio-economic activities across Borno State.”
Babagana Zulum disclosed, “Over the years, we have undertaken various initiatives aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, expanding green spaces, supporting afforestation programmes, improving waste management systems and promoting renewable energy solutions.”
He added, “We have also continued to collaborate with federal agencies, development partners and local communities to strengthen environmental resilience across the state.”
Babagana Zulum also acknowledged the Federal Ministry of Environment for its interventions in Borno, particularly its support following the devastating 2024 flood disaster.
“Let me appreciate the Federal Ministry for the support rendered to the State during the last two years’ flooding. The ministry donated the sum of N50 million to the Government of Borno State in order to mitigate the challenges of the flood disaster,” Babagana Zulum remarked.
In his address, Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawan, commended Governor Babagana Zulum for his unwavering commitment to rebuilding communities and restoring the environment across Borno State.
He explained that the retreat would provide an opportunity to strengthen environmental regulation and standards enforcement, improve institutional performance, enhance collaboration between the Federal Ministry and sub-national governments, and promote accountability in environmental governance.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening Enforcement, Innovation and Institutional Performance for Sustainable Environmental Governance,” was attended by the former Deputy Governor of Borno State, Hon. Usman Mamman Durkwa; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Salihu Aminu; and Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani.
Others included Head of Service, Dr Mohammed Aminu Ghuluze; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Malumbe; a representative of the Shehu of Borno; heads of federal agencies and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Environment; commissioners; and other senior government officials.
