The leadership of One Kano Agenda heartily commends the Federal Government of Nigeria for its historic and strategic decision to relocate the headquarters of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) to Kano State. This bold initiative demonstrates a clear commitment to bringing governance and development institutions closer to the communities most affected by desertification, environmental degradation, climate change, and their associated socio-economic challenges.
The relocation of the Agency’s headquarters to Kano is a significant milestone not only for the state but for the entire Northern region. It is a recognition of Kano’s strategic position as a leading commercial, agricultural, and population centre within the Great Green Wall corridor and a critical stakeholder in the collective effort to combat desert encroachment and promote environmental sustainability.
One Kano Agenda particularly applauds President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Environment for this far-reaching decision, which has the potential to unlock substantial economic, environmental, and developmental opportunities for Kano State and its people.
Beyond its environmental mandate, the Agency presents enormous prospects for job creation, skills development, research and innovation, afforestation projects, agricultural resilience, climate adaptation programmes, community development initiatives, and increased federal investments. The presence of the Agency’s headquarters in Kano is expected to stimulate economic activities, attract development partners, and create new opportunities for youths, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and local communities.
While celebrating this laudable achievement, One Kano Agenda respectfully calls on the Kano State Government to take immediate and deliberate steps to ensure that the state fully harnesses the opportunities arising from the Agency’s presence.
We urge the State Government to:
Develop a comprehensive engagement framework with the Agency to facilitate effective collaboration and project implementation.
Position qualified Kano indigenes for employment, leadership, and technical opportunities within the Agency.
Strengthen partnerships between the Agency, tertiary institutions, research centres, and relevant government agencies within the state.
Promote community participation in environmental restoration, afforestation, and climate resilience programmes.
Facilitate access by local governments, farmers, youth groups, women associations, and civil society organizations to interventions and programmes of the Agency.
Establish Kano as a national hub for environmental management, climate adaptation, and sustainable development initiatives.
We believe that the relocation of the Agency should not be viewed merely as the movement of a federal institution from one location to another. Rather, it should be regarded as a strategic opportunity to drive socio-economic development, strengthen environmental sustainability, create employment opportunities, and improve the livelihoods of millions of people across Kano State and Northern Nigeria.
At this critical moment, it is imperative for all stakeholders—including government institutions, traditional leaders, the private sector, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and development partners—to work collaboratively to maximize the benefits associated with hosting this important national institution.
One Kano Agenda remains committed to advocating policies and initiatives that advance the development, prosperity, and wellbeing of Kano State and its people. We stand ready to support every genuine effort aimed at ensuring that this historic federal intervention translates into measurable and lasting benefits for our communities.
We once again express our profound appreciation to the Federal Government for this commendable decision and urge the Kano State Government to seize this opportunity with vision, urgency, and strategic foresight for the benefit of present and future generations.