Nigeria partners UK bio-tech firm to tackle desertification

By Kunle Sanni

Nigeria is partnering with UK-based Zander Corporation to combat desertification and restore degraded lands, with Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirming the government’s commitment to afforestation and sustainable agriculture.

During a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima welcomed Zander Corporation’s £250,000 technology donation to support afforestation efforts in desert-prone northern states. He described the partnership as a crucial step in leveraging technology for environmental sustainability.

“As a nation committed to afforestation and sustainable land use, we recognize the value of partnerships that introduce cutting-edge technologies,” Shettima said. He also proposed expanding the project to include vegetable production and high-demand tree crops like cashew.

The Vice President assured Zander Corporation of the federal government’s full support, noting that Sokoto State has already committed to the initiative, with Borno and Katsina expected to follow.

Leading Zander Corporation’s delegation, Lord Raymond Benedict Asquith, the 3rd Earl of Oxford, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. He cited successes in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, and Spain, where the firm’s technology has reduced irrigation costs and promoted sustainable vegetation in arid areas.

“Nigeria is ready for the kind of results we have achieved elsewhere,” Lord Oxford said, adding that the company is considering manufacturing its products locally to lower costs and create jobs.

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has begun piloting the technology in Katsina, Borno, and Sokoto states, preparing five hectares for deployment, according to its Director-General, Saleh Abubakar.

With this initiative, Nigeria aims to curb desertification, boost agricultural productivity, and enhance rural livelihoods in affected regions.