World Desertification and Drought Day: Troost-Ekong Tackles Environmental Issues with UNCCD

“Every second, the world loses the equivalent of four football fields of healthy land…” These were the powerful yet heartbreaking words of the Captain of Nigeria’s National Men’s Football team, William Troost-Ekong, as he stood at the forefront of the global movement to combat one of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges – desertification and drought.

Named a Sport4Land Champion by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on May 26, 2025, the 31-year-old defender for Al-Kholood FC in the Saudi Pro League joined forces with Moroccan judo champion Asmaa Niang, Togo’s Olympic hurdle jumper Naomi Akakpo, Dutch Paralympian and wheelchair basketball champion Jitske Visser, and Ivorian national football team captain Franck Kessié to take action against desertification, land degradation, and Drought.

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed annually on June 17, serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Under the theme “Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities,” the 2025 observance highlights how restoring nature’s foundation – land – can create jobs, boost food and water security, support climate action, and build economic resilience.

Troost-Ekong, who previewed Sokito boots made from bamboo, corn waste, and eco-friendly components at the 2023 AFCON, seeks to raise more environmental awareness in football and the world at large. The Nigerian skipper stated that he aims to empower communities with the tools and knowledge they need to restore their land.

“I want to use my platform to build awareness of the impact desertification is having in Africa – and the solutions to reverse it. I’m especially motivated to strengthen collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Africa, including my home country, Nigeria. My goal is to empower communities with the tools and knowledge they need to restore their land and secure a better future. It’s time for a new generation of leaders to step forward and build a legacy of change.”

Desertification was defined by the United Nations Conference on Desertification (UNCOD) in 1977 as the depletion or destruction of the land’s biological capability, which can ultimately lead to desert-like conditions due to adverse and fluctuating climates and excessive exploitation of resources. A later definition provided by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992 states: “Desertification means land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.”

According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s 2022 report “Droughts in Numbers,” Africa has been the most affected continent by drought over the past century, facing more than 300 episodes that have resulted in significant mortality and economic tolls worldwide. Desertification is a pressing environmental concern in Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions.

Through his Troost-Ekong Foundation, established in 2024, he will champion land restoration and environmental awareness by supporting grassroots initiatives, education, and local development projects. His efforts will directly support the Great Green Wall, a flagship Africa-led initiative aiming to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land, sequester 250 million tons of carbon, and create 10 million green jobs by 2030.

“William Troost-Ekong embodies the spirit of Sport4Land – determined, visionary, and deeply rooted in his community,” said Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD.

“His leadership, both on and off the pitch, will help illuminate the urgent need for land restoration, not just in Africa but globally. We are proud to welcome him to our team of Sport4Land Champions. By connecting the universal language of football with the critical issue of land degradation, Sport4Land transforms passion into action – scoring goals not only on the field but also for the future of our lands and communities,” Thiaw added.