Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has announced that the Federal Government aims to plant 20 billion trees across Nigeria in the next rainy season as part of its ambitious reforestation and environmental sustainability agenda.
Shettima made this known on Saturday during his state visit to Ethiopia, where he toured key agricultural and industrial sites.
“We intend to plant 20 billion trees in the next rainy season,” Shettima declared, noting that the plan would require “a lot of planning, energy and drive” similar to Ethiopia’s successful Green Legacy Programme.
During his visit, Shettima inspected facilities such as the Adama Dairy Farms, Luke Avocado Nursery, Shera Dibandiba Mojo Family Integrated Farm, Biyyo Poultry Farm, and Bishoftu Pea Farm, all aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation in agriculture and industry.
He officially launched Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, describing it as “a win-win for all” because it merges climate action with job creation.
“I was overwhelmed with joy that the real economic renaissance of Africa is in the offing,” he said, applauding Ethiopia’s ability to mobilise its people for environmental transformation.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s success in achieving wheat self-sufficiency—transforming from an importer of $1 billion worth of wheat annually to an exporter to neighbours like Djibouti and Kenya—Shettima called for stronger Nigeria-Ethiopia collaboration.
“If Nigeria and Ethiopia work, Africa will work,” he stressed. “Jointly, the two of us constitute over 350 million people, more than the population of the United States. We have to make these two countries work harmoniously for the betterment of our continent.”
