By Hassan Ibrahim
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, is set to establish a Directorate of Environmental Management as part of efforts to strengthen the protection and sustainable management of its natural resources and green environment.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adamu Ahmed, disclosed this while speaking at the 2026 World Environment Day Symposium and Tree Planting Exercise held at Mamman Kontagora Square, Main Campus,
Samaru, Zaria.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Bello Sabo, said the University Governing Council had approved the proposal for the establishment of the new directorate.
According to him, the management has constituted a committee to work out the modalities for the take-off of the Directorate of Environmental Management, which he said would commence operations soon.
He explained that the decision followed the university's realisation that environmental management responsibilities, previously handled alongside other duties by the University Health Services Directorate, had become too demanding, particularly given the directorate's primary responsibility for medical care.
Professor Ahmed, said the creation of the new directorate would enable the university to give environmental management the dedicated attention and priority it deserves.
He noted that successive administrations at ABU had made deliberate efforts to protect the institution's rich vegetation and natural environment, stressing that the university has a responsibility to preserve the natural resources with which it has been blessed.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the organisers, invited guests and participants for their contributions to the symposium, which was held under the theme, “Inspired by Nature: Restoring ABU's Ecosystem for Resilience, Adaptation, and Sustainable Microclimate.”
He described the theme as appropriate, considering the need to protect ABU's extensive vegetation and promote environmental sustainability.
Speaking as Chairman of the occasion, the Chairman of the Kaduna State Local Government Service Board, Professor Aminu Ladan Sharehu, said the symposium and tree-planting exercise were designed to serve as a demonstration and advocacy campaign that would encourage governments, institutions and communities to embrace tree planting and environmental protection.
Professor Sharehu said the initiative should extend beyond ABU to Kaduna State and the country at large, urging individuals to plant and nurture trees within their communities as part of collective efforts to protect the environment.
He also announced plans to organise a special capacity-building workshop for relevant stakeholders at the state and local government levels to sensitise them on the importance of sustained tree planting and environmental conservation.
He expressed optimism that the presence of representatives from the federal and state governments, local governments, international organisations and other stakeholders would help strengthen the campaign.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Kaduna State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Abubakar Buba, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Linda Yakubu, commended ABU for organising the symposium and tree-planting exercise.
He said the theme of the event appropriately reflected the urgent need for collective action to address environmental degradation and the adverse effects of climate change, noting that educational institutions have a critical role to play in promoting environmental stewardship.
The Commissioner said ecosystem restoration was essential for improving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, combating desertification and ensuring a healthier environment for present and future generations.
He explained that the Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, remained committed to environmental sustainability and climate resilience through strategic programmes focused on restoring degraded landscapes, promoting afforestation and strengthening environmental governance.
In their separate remarks, UNICEF Kaduna Chief Field Officer, Mrs Theresa Pamma, and the Kaduna State Project Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Hadiza Ibrahim Halil, commended Ahmadu Bello University for its commitment to environmental sustainability and ecosystem restoration.
They expressed their organisations' readiness to continue partnering with the university in promoting environmental conservation, climate resilience and sustainable ecosystem management.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Environmental Sustainability and Tree Planting Committee, Dr. S. K. Musa, appreciated all the invited guests for gracing the occasion and urged them to continue partnering with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The event ended with a symbolic tree-planting exercise in the University, reinforcing the call for sustained collaboration among governments, educational institutions, development partners, local communities and individuals to restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience and build a greener and healthier environment.
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