"Can the Private Sector Help Bridge the Gap and Mitigate Anthropogenic and Climate-Induced Gully Erosion in Southeast Nigeria?"

On a global scale, the projection indicates a 10% increase in erosion, primarily due to intense rainfall, particularly in Asia and Africa. This rise can be attributed to factors such as population growth, expanded agricultural activities, and increased urban land utilization. The process of soil erosion involves the separation, transport, and deposition of soil-derived particles.

?

Rainfall leads to the fracturing and splitting of soil particles, contributing to erosion. Gully erosion, often triggered by climate variables, geological characteristics, population growth, and agricultural activities, is a driving force behind this process. Erosion dynamics delve into the principles governing vegetation adjustments within a watershed due to various ecological stressors. The interplay between vegetation and erosion dynamically unfolds within a watershed, potentially achieving equilibrium over time.

Across all regions of Nigeria, concerns regarding land degradation and biodiversity decline are widespread, stemming from a mix of human activities and inherent natural factors. Among these regions, Nigeria's South-East stands out as the most densely vegetated, boasting the lowest deforestation rate as of 2022 according to Global Forest Watch. Nevertheless, this lush landscape is gradually transitioning from rural to urban character. The region is significantly affected by gully erosion, demanding swift adoption of sustainable land management practices.

Presently, the South-East grapples with profound ecological challenges due to the pressing issue of gully erosion. According to Okorafor et al. in 2017, gully erosion transcends being merely an ecological concern; it has escalated into the most urgent environmental threat in South-Eastern Nigeria. Nweke in 2021 outlines its effects, including displacement, loss of livelihood, hunger, and infrastructural destruction in both rural and urban communities.

Addressing gully erosion necessitates a targeted strategy involving private sector engagement, particularly as rural areas transform into urban centers amidst extreme weather events like heavy rain. Climatic and anthropogenic factors fuel gully erosion problems in Nigeria. Despite the region's lush flora, gully erosion persists due to climate-related factors and human-induced gully growth.

A 2018 World Bank study reveals about 3000 gully erosion sites in Nigeria, with the South-East hosting the majority. This region is grappling with significant land degradation and vegetation decline despite its rich forest cover. Harmful gully extension and massive mudslides during the rainy season cause community displacement, farmland loss, deforestation, and extinction of indigenous flora and fauna.

Efforts to curb gully growth have been largely ineffective, leaving vulnerable rural communities struggling. Nwankwoala and Igbokwe (2020) attribute the region's erosive consequences to land competition, erosion, agriculture, and climate change. Iruoma (2021) underscores that over 70% of the Igbo cultural group is affected by gully erosion, jeopardizing their ancestral lands.

Nigeria's federal government has pledged to restore 10 million acres of degraded land by 2022 as part of its pursuit of land degradation neutrality, aligning with the Bonn Ecosystem Restoration Challenge. The LDN Target Setting Programme of 2018 aspires to achieve LDN by 2030, necessitating collective efforts to combat global land degradation exacerbated by climate change.

Erosion management in Nigeria involves collaborative efforts:

1. Federal and State Government: The Federal Ministry of Environment and state Ministries of Environment collaborate on the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management project, funded by the World Bank. While progress has been made, only 70 of the 2800 active gully erosion sites in the South-East region have been stabilized.

2. South-East Community Participation: Local communities in the South-East have taken measures like legislating against sand mining and promoting erosion-controlling practices. Municipal restrictions prevent tree removal, while vegetative barriers and water banks are employed to reduce erosion impact.

3. Policymakers: Lawmakers are addressing erosion problems through legislation, including the proposed creation of an erosion commission to comprehensively address the issue.

The Private Sector's Role: The private sector can play a vital role in land management and administration, but in Nigeria, the slow pace of gully reclamation and insufficient community participation underscore the need for collaborative action between government and the private sector. While partnering with the private sector alone cannot solve all problems, governments must create legal frameworks, institutional reforms, and policies to facilitate effective private sector involvement in gully erosion management (de Vries et al., 2021).