By Maryam Abdul-aziz Usman

Yobe State University (YSU), Damaturu, is set to make tree planting and sustained environmental stewardship a requirement for students before graduation, as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability within the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Muhammad Bashir Tahir, disclosed this while flagging off the 2026 Tree Planting Initiative organised by the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, under the theme, “Greening Our Faculty for a Sustainable Future.”

Tahir said under the proposed policy, every student would be required to plant and nurture at least one tree from admission until graduation.

He said students could be required to provide evidence of having planted and sustained their trees before being cleared to receive their certificates.

The Vice-Chancellor described tree planting as essential to humanity, animals and the environment, noting that trees help control erosion and flooding by absorbing large quantities of water.

He added that trees provide shade, fruits and a conducive green environment for learning, while also serving as natural laboratories for students of biology, forestry, geography and other related disciplines.

“I am very impressed with this initiative and sincerely appreciate the lady and the young man who initiated this programme. I also commend the Head of the Department for listening to them and organising this event,” he said.

Tahir also directed the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management to collaborate with the Directorate of Works and Physical Planning to organise annual tree-planting competitions among faculties and departments.

He promised that the university would introduce awards for the best-performing faculties and departments and ensure the sustainability of the programme.

Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture commended the student initiators, Mohammed Mallam Mohammed and Hauwa Ahmed Damagum, both 300-level students of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, for championing the initiative.

He also appreciated the Programme Manager of the North East Arid Zone Development Programme (NEAZDP), Dr. Mulima Idi Mato, for contributing nursery equipment and planting materials, as well as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Green City Garden, Ahmad Abba Disa, for supporting the programme.

In a statement released by the Information and Protocol Unit of Yobe State University, Abdulmumin Kolo Gulani, said the Head of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and university management for their support.

According to the statement, the Head of Department described the initiative as a demonstration of YSU’s commitment to environmental sustainability and stewardship.

The ceremony culminated in the Vice-Chancellor planting the first tree, officially launching the 2026 tree-planting initiative.