Analysis of Land Degradation Neutrality Progress and Challenges in Niger State

Nigeria's commitment to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification's Land Degradation Neutrality target framework requires state-level baseline assessments, target setting, and implementation monitoring, yet progress evaluation at the sub-national level remains lacking. This study analyses Land Degradation Neutrality progress and challenges in Niger State, which encompasses a significant gradient of ecological zones from Guinea savanna to the Sudan savanna, and faces land degradation from multiple drivers. Land Degradation Neutrality assessment follows the UNCCD three-indicator framework: land productivity dynamics derived from MODIS data, land use and land cover change from Sentinel imagery, and soil organic carbon stock changes estimated from soil spectral data calibrated with field measurements. Analysis covers the period 2015 to 2023 to align with post-Paris Agreement monitoring requirements. The study further conducts a policy and institutional assessment of Niger State's Land Degradation Neutrality voluntary targets and their integration into state land use planning and investment planning instruments. Findings indicate that 28 percent of Niger State's land area shows persistent declining land productivity trends, particularly in the northern Local Government Areas. Land use change analysis documents net forest and woodland loss of 4.2 percent over the eight-year period. Institutional assessment reveals that Land Degradation Neutrality voluntary targets were developed but have not been systematically integrated into Niger State's Agricultural Sector Expenditure Programme or Rural Development Master Plan. Recommendations address budget tagging for Land Degradation Neutrality-positive activities, strengthened inter-ministerial coordination, and establishment of state-level land degradation monitoring systems. Keywords: land degradation neutrality, UNCCD, Niger State, land productivity, policy integration.