Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has urged governments across Nigeria to strengthen the enforcement of environmental protection laws to combat the increasing rate of deforestation and environmental degradation.
The governor also unveiled an automatic scholarship programme for 540 local government workers to study forestry-related courses at the Federal College of Forestry, Maiduguri, as part of efforts to improve environmental management and develop skilled professionals in the forestry sector.
Zulum made the announcement during the 2026 Annual Top Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Tree Planting Campaign held in Maiduguri.
The governor expressed concern over the continued indiscriminate felling of trees despite existing legal provisions aimed at protecting the environment.
According to him, Borno State has already enacted legislation prescribing severe penalties for unlawful tree felling, but implementation of the law has remained weak.
“Borno State Government has recently passed a law that provides stringent punishment for those who fell trees anyhow, but unfortunately, the provisions of these laws were not enforced.”
He explained that attempts by the state government to enforce the law were met with public resistance, particularly from residents who depend on firewood for domestic cooking.
“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,” Zulum stated.
The governor also lamented what he described as the lack of interest among young people and public workers in pursuing forestry education despite the existence of the Federal College of Forestry in Maiduguri.
To address the shortage of trained personnel, he directed the Secretary to the State Government to work with all 27 local government councils to nominate workers for specialised forestry training.
According to the governor, each local government council is expected to identify at least 20 workers from its agriculture and natural resources departments for admission into the institution.
“On this note, I want to use this platform to direct the Secretary of 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.
The initiative is expected to benefit a total of 540 local government workers across the state.
Zulum stressed that environmental challenges such as desertification, deforestation and climate change require stronger cooperation between the Federal Government and state governments.
He noted that coordinated policies and sustained investment in afforestation programmes would significantly improve environmental sustainability across the country.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawan, commended the Borno State governor for his commitment to environmental restoration and post-conflict recovery.
He said the retreat would serve as an important platform for improving environmental regulation, strengthening institutional performance and enhancing collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Environment and state governments.
According to the minister, the meeting would also promote accountability, innovation and improved enforcement of environmental standards nationwide.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening Enforcement, Innovation and Institutional Performance for Sustainable Environmental Governance,” attracted several senior government officials, including 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.
