By Abdullahi Sarki
Yobe State University (YSU) has announced plans to make tree planting and sustained environmental stewardship a mandatory requirement for all students before graduation. The initiative, unveiled by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Muhammad Bashir Tahir, reflects the institution’s commitment to promoting sustainability and embedding environmental responsibility into academic life.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Tree Planting Initiative, organised by the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management under the Faculty of Agriculture, Tahir explained that the policy would require every student to plant and nurture at least one tree from admission until graduation.
“Every student will be expected to plant and nurture at least one tree from the time of admission until graduation. They may be required to show evidence of the tree they planted and sustained before they are cleared to receive their certificates,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized the broader importance of tree planting, noting its role in preventing erosion and flooding by absorbing water, providing shade and fruits, and creating a green environment conducive to learning. He added that trees serve as natural laboratories for students in disciplines such as biology, forestry, and geography, offering practical learning opportunities alongside ecological benefits.
Tahir praised the initiative’s student champions and commended the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management for embracing their vision. He directed the department to collaborate with the Directorate of Works and Physical Planning to organise annual tree-planting competitions among faculties and departments. To encourage participation, he promised awards for the best-performing faculties and departments, ensuring the programme’s sustainability and institutional ownership.
“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,” Tahir said.
The Vice-Chancellor’s remarks highlighted YSU’s determination to embed environmental consciousness into its academic culture, positioning the university as a leader in sustainability practices within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture commended the student initiators, Mohammed Mallam Mohammed and Hauwa Ahmed Damagum, both 300-level students of Forestry and Wildlife Management, for their vision and dedication. Their proposal, he noted, had sparked a movement that now promises to reshape the university’s approach to environmental stewardship.
The initiative also drew support from external partners. Dr. Mulima Idi Mato, Programme Manager of the North East Arid Zone Development Programme, donated nursery equipment and planting materials to strengthen the project’s foundation. Similarly, Ahmad Abba Disa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Green City Garden, provided additional resources to ensure the success of the tree planting drive.
In her closing remarks, the Head of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and university management for their backing. She described the initiative as a demonstration of YSU’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, stressing that the programme would not only beautify the campus but also instill lifelong values in students.
The 2026 Tree Planting Initiative, themed *“Greening Our Faculty for a Sustainable Future,”* represents more than a symbolic gesture. It signals a shift toward integrating environmental responsibility into academic milestones, ensuring that graduates leave YSU not only with degrees but also with a tangible contribution to ecological preservation.
By requiring students to plant and nurture trees, YSU aims to foster a culture of accountability and environmental awareness that extends beyond the campus. The initiative underscores the university’s belief that education must go hand in hand with sustainability, preparing graduates to confront the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.
As the programme takes root, YSU’s model could inspire other institutions across Nigeria to adopt similar policies, embedding environmental stewardship into the fabric of higher education. For Yobe State University, the graduation requirement is more than an academic obligation — it is a legacy of green responsibility that each student will leave behind.
