Yobe State University is considering a policy that could make tree planting and environmental stewardship a requirement for students before graduation.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Bashir Tahir, disclosed this on Thursday while flagging off the university’s 2026 Tree Planting Initiative organised by the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture.
The initiative, themed “Greening Our Faculty for a Sustainable Future,” is aimed at promoting environmental sustainability across the university.
Under the proposed policy, every student would be expected to plant and nurture at least one tree from admission until graduation.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, students may be required to provide evidence that they planted and sustained their trees before being cleared to receive their certificates.
“Every student will be expected to plant and nurture at least one tree from the time of admission until graduation,” he said.
“They may be required to show evidence of the tree they planted and sustained before they are cleared to receive their certificates.”
Tahir explained that trees play important roles in protecting the environment and supporting human and animal life.
He noted that trees can help reduce erosion and flooding by absorbing large quantities of water, while also providing shade, fruits and a greener environment for learning.
He added that the trees could also serve as natural laboratories for students studying biology, forestry, geography and other related disciplines.
The Vice-Chancellor directed the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management to work with the Directorate of Works and Physical Planning to organise annual tree-planting competitions among faculties and departments.
He also promised that the university would introduce awards for the best-performing faculties and departments and ensure that the programme is sustained.
Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture commended the student initiators of the project, Mohammed Mallam Mohammed and Hauwa Ahmed Damagum, both 300-level students of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management.
The faculty also acknowledged the support of the Programme Manager of the North East Arid Zone Development Programme, Dr Mulima Idi Mato, who donated nursery equipment and planting materials, as well as Ahmad Abba Disa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Green City Garden.
The Head of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management described the initiative as a demonstration of the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible stewardship.
The ceremony ended with the Vice-Chancellor planting the first tree, formally launching the 2026 tree-planting initiative.
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