Heavy rainfall and unstable sandy soils cause gully erosion in southeastern Nigeria while rising sea levels and land reclamation projects contribute to coastal erosion in the south, particularly in the Niger Delta.

This has led to significant land degradation, the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the loss of livelihoods.

Implemented by Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Environment with support from UNOPS, the €175 million European Investment Bank (EIB) financed Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project will address these issues. The first EIB-financed project in Sub-Saharan Africa that is solely dedicated to climate adaptation, the project will reduce vulnerability to soil erosion by building gully restoration and watershed management infrastructure as well as promoting sustainable land-use practices.

"[This project] will safeguard lives, protect farm lands and infrastructure, and enhance livelihoods across communities within 23 states," said Balarabe Lawal, Nigeria's Minister of Environment.

Using €10.7 million in financing from the broader project, UNOPS will provide implementation support to the government of Nigeria in procurement, environmental and social safeguards, selection and verification of project sites, project monitoring and supervision.

"The launch of NEWMAP reflects the kind of practical long-term support the EIB is committed to delivering in partnership with Nigeria," said Roger Stuart, Head of EIB Regional Hub for West/Central Africa. "We look forward to the positive impact this project will have on communities, ecosystems and the broader climate resilience agenda.”

This support will build on a previous World Bank-financed project to help strengthen the capacity of Nigeria’s federal and state institutions and organizations as well as ensure the required European Investment Bank fiduciary, procurement, and environmental and social safeguard standards are met.