By As Nigeria steps up efforts to restore millions of hectares of degraded land through the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is expected to play a key role in supporting the digital tools needed for monitoring progress.
At the recent UN Conference on Desertification (CoP 15), stakeholders discussed using satellite technology to track land restoration across Nigeria. The government aims to restore 4 million hectares by 2030, and real-time satellite monitoring will be essential in achieving this goal.
Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, emphasized the need for partnerships with the private sector and tech organizations to boost funding and implement digital solutions. “We need advanced tools to track progress, and NCC’s support in providing reliable telecom infrastructure is vital for this,” she said.
Green Sahara Farms, one of the key players in the restoration efforts, highlighted the importance of satellite data in protecting restored areas and ensuring transparency. “With strong internet connectivity, we can monitor even the most remote areas, keeping illegal activities in check,” said Suleiman Dikwa, the company’s Managing Director.
Plans are already in place to deploy new satellites by 2025, and these will depend on Nigeria’s telecom network. By strengthening digital infrastructure, NCC can help make land restoration more effective, ensuring that Nigeria meets its GGW targets and attracts more investors to the initiative.
