Nigeria is set to deploy cutting-edge afforestation technology donated by the United Kingdom’s Zander Corporation. The £250,000 (N504 million) worth of afforestation technology  products will be used to restore degraded lands in some of the country’s most vulnerable ecological zones.

The donation was announced when a delegation from Zander Corporation, led by Lord Raymond Benedict Asquith, the 3rd Earl of Oxford and a member of the UK House of Lords, met with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja. 

The Vice President welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the role of innovative technology in environmental restoration and agricultural transformation.

“There is a critical intersection between innovative technology and efforts at combating desertification and agricultural transformation in this country.”
Shettima stated. “As a nation committed to afforestation and sustainable land use, we recognise the value of partnerships that introduce cutting-edge technologies like those from Zander Corporation,” 

The donated technology will be piloted on five hectares of land in Katsina, Borno, and Sokoto states. The Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Saleh Abubakar, confirmed that a committee has been set up to oversee implementation, ensuring that affected communities directly benefit from the initiative.

Lord Oxford highlighted Zander Corporation’s successful track record in desert regions such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Libya, where its technology has significantly reduced irrigation costs and fostered sustainable vegetation growth. 

He also expressed interest in setting up manufacturing operations in Nigeria, a move he said would create jobs and lower costs.

“We see Nigeria as a prime location for our work. The country is ready for the kind of results we have delivered elsewhere.

“Our operations in the Middle East and North Africa have proven effective in reducing irrigation costs and enhancing agricultural sustainability.

“We also see opportunities for manufacturing our products in Nigeria, reducing costs, and creating employment. Nigeria’s vast land resources make it an ideal location for this kind of investment. We are excited about the potential of this partnership to transform the landscape and the economy.” Lord Oxford said.

The initiative has received backing from key government stakeholders, including the Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idris Gobir, and the Ministry of Environment. 

The federal government is optimistic that the partnership will enhance afforestation efforts and strengthen resilience against climate change in northern Nigeria