Nigeria is forging a powerful alliance with the UK’s leading bio-tech company, Zander Corporation, to address the critical challenge of desertification and land degradation in the country’s most vulnerable regions. This groundbreaking partnership will transform agricultural practices, boost afforestation, and restore degraded lands in areas suffering from desert encroachment.
Vice President Kashim Shettima recently welcomed Zander Corporation’s generous £250,000 donation of cutting-edge afforestation technology during a pivotal meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Shettima emphasized that the Nigerian government is unwavering in its commitment to sustainable land management and afforestation, key strategies in combating desertification and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity.
“This collaboration with Zander Corporation is a vital step toward leveraging innovative technology to drive agricultural transformation and tackle desertification in Nigeria,” said Shettima. “Our nation is focused on afforestation, and we recognize the value of partnerships that bring forward new, advanced solutions to this issue.”
The £250,000 donation from Zander Corporation includes a range of afforestation products aimed at rehabilitating arid soils and transforming them into fertile lands for farming. Shettima highlighted the importance of maximizing the potential of the five-hectare pilot project, which could also support the cultivation of high-demand crops like cashew and vegetables.
“We are in a unique position to benefit from this initiative,” the Vice President said. “The federal government is fully committed to this cause, and Sokoto, Borno, and Katsina states have shown strong support for the project.”
Lord Raymond Benedict Asquith, the 3rd Earl of Oxford and Asquith OBE, who led the Zander Corporation team, spoke about the company’s track record of success in desert states like Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Libya. He shared that the company has already recorded impressive results, including significant reductions in irrigation costs and the creation of sustainable vegetation in challenging environments.
“We see Nigeria as a prime location for our technology,” Lord Oxford said. “Our operations in the Middle East and North Africa have proven effective in reducing irrigation costs and improving agricultural sustainability. Nigeria’s vast land resources are perfect for the kind of transformative work we’ve done in other countries.”
Zander Corporation also sees potential for local manufacturing of its products in Nigeria, which could drive down costs and create job opportunities. Lord Oxford expressed excitement about the partnership’s ability to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and its economy.
Saleh Abubakar, Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), reinforced the commitment to implementing Zander’s technology. He confirmed that the agency has already set up a committee to oversee the project’s implementation, with pilot projects underway in Borno, Katsina, and Sokoto states. A five-hectare plot has been prepared for deployment, with plans to directly benefit local communities impacted by desertification.
“This initiative is an exciting step toward building resilience in the affected areas,” Abubakar said. “We’re confident that Zander Corporation’s technology will make a tangible difference.”
The meeting also featured key stakeholders, including Dr. Idris Muhammad Gobir, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Environment and the President’s Agribusiness team.
This collaboration marks a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to combat desertification, turning once barren lands into fertile ground for agriculture and environmental sustainability.
