By Abdul Kareem
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced the appointment of Mal. Usman Aliyu as the Director General of Borno State Agency for Great Green Wall, a significant step in the ongoing battle against desertification in the Sahel region and the encroachment of the Sahara desert.

The Humanitarian Times has severally published his tree planting and other environmental protection efforts across Borno state.


Usman Aliyu, a graduate of the University of Maiduguri with a background in Geology and Environmental Management, has demonstrated unwavering dedication to environmental causes. His journey from grassroots tree planter to the helm of a critical environmental agency is a testament to his passion and commitment.

Having served in various roles within the public and private sectors, including coordinating environmental efforts in different organizations, Usman Aliyu brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new position. His accomplishments have been recognized through numerous professional memberships and awards, highlighting his exceptional contributions to environmental sustainability.

Governor Zulum expressed his confidence in Usman Aliyu’s abilities and emphasized the importance of his new role in advancing the goals of the Great Green Wall initiative. The Governor’s expectations for utmost dedication and commitment underscore the critical nature of the task ahead.


Usman Aliyu is graduated from the University of Maiduguri with a BSc in Geology in 2007 and a master’s degree in environmental management in 2015. He is currently pursuing a PhD in environmental management at the same university.

The new DG served was a coordinator under the defunct Federal Ministry of Mineral Resources and Geological Survey in Kano, Borno State Green Hub Africa, Kano State Ministry of Environment, among many other places in the private and public sectors.

Usman Aliyu hails from Hawul Local Government in the southern part of Borno State. He has received about 20 professional memberships and merit awards, including a Certificate of Excellence from African Clean Up Initiative.

In a recent news report by The Humanitarian Times, Usman said with the support of the Borno state Attorney General, and Commissioner of Justice, his local NGO, Dark Green Leaves, intends to plant 5 million trees across the state, even as they have covered 1.5 million trees so far.