Niger State Gov Vows to Sustain Green Initiatives Under “New Niger Agenda”!

Reported by David Joshua | Sele Media Africa

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining and expanding green and eco‑friendly development initiatives as part of his broader New Niger Agenda.

What the Governor Is Saying

• Governor Bago recently stated that environmental sustainability and conservation are central pillars of his development vision, promising that green projects will continue and expand under his leadership.
• He highlighted the state’s “Green Economy Blueprint” and the establishment of the Niger State Agency for Green Initiatives as foundational to achieving long‑term ecological balance and economic growth. [1]
• Under his plan, Niger State aims to plant 1 billion trees over 4–5 years across approximately 760,000 hectares, as part of its strategy for carbon sequestration and climate mitigation. [2]
• The governor also wants to harness green projects to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), reduce reliance on federal allocations, and create jobs in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. [3]

Key Steps & Policy Instruments

• In November 2023, Bago signed Executive Order No. 3 (2023) to enforce the Green Economy Initiative. The order mandates all ministries, departments, and agencies to adhere to the program’s blueprint and performance targets. [4]
• In September 2024, he signed into law a bill establishing the Niger State Agency for Green Initiatives, intended to coordinate and institutional the state’s environmental and sustainability efforts. [1]
• The state government has also engaged in climate education programs, in partnership with the Greening Education Partnership, to increase public awareness and build capacity at the grassroots level. [5]

Why This Matters

• Niger State’s move reinforces Nigeria’s broader commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience, particularly important for its large landmass and agricultural potential.
• The focus on green economy initiatives provides a pathway for job creation, especially in renewable energy, forestry, and climate-smart agriculture, while also addressing environmental degradation.
• Institutionalizing green policy through laws and executive orders helps ensure these initiatives are not only short-term but embedded in governance.
• However, challenges remain: funding, enforcement, inter-sector coordination, and measuring performance against benchmarks.

Citations:

1. Niger State Official Website: nigerstate.gov.ng/farmer-gov-umaru-bago-signs-into-law-a-bill-for-the-establishment-of-niger-state-agency-for-green-initiatives-and-other-related-matters/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Niger State Official Website: nigerstate.gov.ng/governor-umaru-bago-of-niger-state-unveiled-a-strategic-green-economy-blueprint-document-for-niger-state/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Tribune Online: tribuneonlineng.com/green-economy-will-boost-niger-state-igr-gov-bago/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/news/bago-signs-executive-order-on-implementation-of-green-economy-policy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. Nigeria Daily Post: nigeriadailypost.com.ng/2025/05/08/governor-umaru-bago-advocates-for-improved-climate-education-to-combat-climate-change-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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