Construction giant Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has partnered with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) to plant over 20,000 indigenous trees in Abuja, as part of efforts to tackle deforestation and climate change.
The tree-planting exercise, which took place at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, was described as a significant step in restoring Nigeria’s fast-depleting vegetation.
According to a report by Punch, Julius Berger provided funding and coordination, while FRIN led on species selection and ecological planning, and the NCF contributed conservation expertise and community engagement.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff, Major General J.Y. Maina emphasized that environmental preservation is tied to national security.
He noted that issues like desertification and climate change pose long-term risks, stating: “Tree planting is not just an ecological necessity; it is a strategic investment in our collective future.”
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Speaking on behalf of the NCF, Garba Boyi, the foundation’s Zonal Coordinator, highlighted the organisation’s Green Recovery Nigeria initiative, designed to address the country’s alarming vegetation loss—estimated to be less than 10 percent of its original cover.
Boyi stressed that reforestation efforts are essential to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The initiative drew commendations from environmental stakeholders, including Dr. Okechukwu Ogbonna, CEO of Ceed Africa Limited, who commended Julius Berger’s funding support.
Nigeria continues to face pressing environmental challenges, but initiatives such as this demonstrate how public-private partnerships can help mitigate ecological decline.
Image Credit: NatureNews
