The Yobe State Government has officially launched the 2026 planting of no fewer than three million tree seedlings on Thursday in Damaturu to tackle desertification and climate change across the state

The State’s Ministry of Environment has said that desertification, land degradation and the growing effects of climate change have affected 11 Local Government Areas and border communities with Niger.

The campaign, which was flagged off in Damaturu amid desert encroachment, is being implemented under the theme: “One Person, One Tree for a Greener and Sustainable Yobe,” with the state government urging residents to take responsibility for planting, protecting and nurturing the planted trees to maturity.

Representing Governor Mai Mala Buni at the event, the Deputy Governor, Idi Barde Gubana, said the annual tree planting exercise was critical to restoring degraded landscapes, protecting farmlands and strengthening food security in a state increasingly affected by environmental challenges.

He said the government had raised three million seedlings of assorted tree species for distribution during the 2026 campaign, including indigenous and drought-resistant varieties suited to Yobe’s climatic conditions.

According to him, the seedlings include Baobab, Mahogany, Tamarind, Mansonia and other species that can contribute to restoring vegetation and improving the resilience of communities against harsh environmental conditions.

Gubana added that the state government was particularly concerned about the gradual disappearance of some indigenous tree species as a result of unsustainable exploitation without corresponding efforts to replace them.

“The annual tree-planting campaign is critical to restoring our degraded landscapes, protecting our farmlands, improving food security and mitigating the effects of climate change,” he said.

He, therefore, urged residents not to regard tree planting as a one-day exercise, stressing that the survival of the seedlings would depend on the commitment of individuals and communities to protect and nurture them.

“Planting the trees is only the beginning. We must ensure that they are properly cared for and protected until they reach maturity,” he said.

The Deputy Governor added that the state government had also established a Climate Change Council to strengthen its response to environmental and weather-related challenges.

He said six weather monitoring stations had been established in Damaturu, Gashua, Machina, Yunusari, Jakusko and Fika to provide climatic information and improve the state’s preparedness for extreme weather conditions.

According to him, reliable weather information would enable government and communities to better understand changing climatic patterns and make informed decisions, particularly in agriculture and other climate-sensitive activities.

Gubana directed chairmen of the 17 local government areas to replicate the tree-planting exercise in their respective councils between August 26 and 30.

He ordered that each local government area had been allocated 2,000 tree seedlings as part of the statewide campaign against climate change and desert encroachment in the state.