UNIABUJA Students Plant Trees to Mark Anti-Desertification Campaign
Students of the Department of Development and Strategic Communication, University of Abuja (UniAbuja), alongside lecturers from the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, on Tuesday planted ten trees across the faculty premises as part of activities marking the global campaign against desertification and drought.
The tree-planting exercise was undertaken by students offering Environmental Communication (DCS 208) under the supervision of the course lecturer, Dr. Jamila Dahiru. The initiative was designed to complement classroom learning with practical environmental action while promoting sustainability and ecological responsibility.
Among those who participated in the exercise were Dr. Jamila Dahiru; the Head of the Department of Broadcasting and Film Studies, Dr. Sarah Gambo; the Head of the Department of Information, Journalism and Media Studies, Dr. Yusuf Bolakale Suleiman; and award-winning author, Mrs. Funmilayo Braithwaite. A tree was also planted on behalf of the Head of the Department of Development and Strategic Communication, Dr. Aisha Abdulrauf, who was unavoidably absent.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Dahiru emphasized that environmental communication should extend beyond awareness campaigns to practical actions that deliver measurable environmental benefits.
According to her, tree planting remains one of the most effective strategies for combating desertification, improving air quality, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience.
The students actively participated in all stages of the exercise, including digging planting pits, placing seedlings in the ground, watering the trees, and documenting the activity through photographs and videos. As a demonstration of their collective commitment to environmental stewardship, the Environmental Communication class also planted a tree in its name.
The newly planted trees now stand across the faculty grounds as a lasting symbol of environmental responsibility and collective action. The exercise highlighted the role educational institutions can play in addressing environmental challenges by translating academic knowledge into practical solutions.
The initiative further underscored the importance of youth participation in environmental conservation efforts, particularly at a time when desertification, land degradation, and climate change continue to pose significant challenges across Nigeria and other parts of the world.
