RismadarVoice Reporters
November 12, 2026
The World Bank has approved an additional $500 million in financing to help Nigeria tackle flooding, restore degraded agricultural land and strengthen climate resilience across 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The funding, announced on November 6, will expand the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, which focuses on environmental restoration, improved water management and sustainable rural livelihoods.
According to the World Bank, the intervention is expected to support the restoration and sustainable management of 1.4 million hectares of land and benefit approximately 6.6 million people by 2031.
The project will also finance watershed rehabilitation, erosion control and measures to reduce flooding in communities vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
The bank said the investment would help improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food and water security and reduce competition over natural resources that contributes to conflicts among farmers, herders and other communities.
Since its commencement in 2022, ACReSAL has introduced sustainable landscape management practices across approximately 550,000 hectares and reached more than 4.4 million beneficiaries, according to the World Bank.
The institution said the additional financing would build on these achievements while strengthening government agencies responsible for environmental protection and natural resource management.
World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said the intervention would expand climate adaptation measures that had demonstrated positive results in vulnerable communities.
He explained that restoring degraded landscapes and improving agricultural productivity could strengthen livelihoods and support long-term economic development.
Similarly, ACReSAL Task Team Leader, Iganya Joy Agene, said the financing would support larger investments in climate adaptation, food security, water management, employment and economic opportunities.
The programme is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The latest approval brings the project’s total financing commitment to $1.2 billion, including the original $700 million allocation.
Meanwhile, figures cited from Nigeria’s Debt Management Office indicate that the country’s outstanding debt to the World Bank increased from $14.34 billion in March 2023 to $20.73 billion in June 2026.
The increase of approximately $6.39 billion represents 44.6 per cent over the period.
Although the new financing is intended to improve environmental conditions and agricultural livelihoods, its long-term impact will depend on effective implementation, financial accountability and the sustainability of completed projects.
