GREENING NIGERIA: WORLD BANK APPROVES $500M ADDITIONAL FINANCING TO SCALE UP CLIMATE RESILIENCE, LAND RESTORATION, AND LIVELIHOODS UNDER NIGERIA ACReSAL PROJECT

ABUJA, NIGERIA — November 7, 2026 —The World Bank Group Board of Directors has officially approved US$500 million in Additional Financing (AF) for the Nigeria Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project.

Building on the successes of the US$700 million parent project, this new financing brings the total investment in northern Nigeria’s landscape restoration and climate adaptation to US$1.2 billion. The expansion will significantly scale up integrated landscape management, strengthen water resources management, boost agricultural productivity, and protect vulnerable communities across the 19 participating northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The approval of the Additional Financing reflects the strong performance and tangible impact delivered by the ACReSAL parent project. Through dedicated multisectoral coordination led by the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, ACReSAL has achieved landmark results:

* Restoration of Degraded Lands: Sustainable landscape management practices have been successfully introduced across approximately 550,000 hectares of degraded land, helping reverse desertification and improve soil fertility.

* Direct Beneficiary Reach: Over 4.4 million people across northern Nigeria have directly benefited from restored ecosystem services, improved agricultural infrastructure, and climate-resilient economic opportunities.

* Multisectoral Collaboration: The project stands as a model for inter-agency synergy, uniting environmental conservation, sustainable water security, and agricultural livelihoods into a single strategic framework.

With the Additional Financing, ACReSAL will accelerate field interventions to build long-term climate resilience in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions. The new funding phase extends the project operational window through November 30, 2031, allowing the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) and State Project Management Units (SPMUs) to expand field outreach, deepen community engagement, and implement large-scale sustainable landscape interventions.

Speaking on the milestone, project leadership commended the shared vision and dedication of all stakeholders. The World Bank Task Team—led by Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, Dr. Manievel Emmanuel Sene, and Engr. Chinedu Umolu—expressed appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria, participating State Governors, State Project Coordinators (SPCs), and local communities for their ownership and sustained commitment.

Jane Ozuruoke, mnipr

Communication and Public Relations Specialist

ACReSAL National Office, Abuja

16 Biodun Olorunfemi Street, Cadastral Zone B03, Wuye, Abuja