Meet our Project Coordinator

Dr. Napoleon Elias Gyobe is a distinguished environmentalist, forester, and development practitioner whose career exemplifies service, resilience, and transformational leadership. Widely regarded as an Icon of Hope, a Bridge Builder, and a committed advocate of Human Capital Development, he has dedicated over two decades to strengthening institutions, restoring degraded landscapes, and empowering communities across Nasarawa State and beyond.

He joined the Nasarawa State Civil Service in 2003 as a Forest Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, he served in several divisions as a Divisional Forest Officer, working across all thirteen Local Government Areas and Development Areas of the state. This extensive grassroots engagement shaped his people-centered approach and deep understanding of community dynamics.

In 2010, he was promoted to Zonal Forest Officer, and through diligence and professionalism rose to the rank of Assistant Director of Forestry in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. His career progression reflects not only technical competence but also his ability to build bridges between government institutions, development partners, and local communities.

In 2016, Dr. Gyobe joined the World Bank–assisted REDD+ Project as Project Coordinator, a role he held until 2022. During this period, he emerged as a unifying leader, aligning global climate objectives with local realities, while mentoring young professionals and strengthening institutional capacity—hallmarks of his commitment to human capital development. He was promoted to Deputy Director, Forestry and Wildlife in 2022, and later to Director of Forestry and Wildlife Resources, his current position.

Following the winding up of the World Bank–assisted NEWMAP Project in 2022, His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, appointed Dr. Gyobe as Project Coordinator to complete outstanding NEWMAP activities under the EIB/NEWMAP Project (2022–2023). The successful completion of these activities gave birth to the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project.

Because of his vast experience, integrity, and proven leadership in project management, His Excellency appointed him as Project Coordinator of the ACReSAL Project, an appointment confirmed by the World Bank through a formal No Objection, which he holds to date. Under his leadership, ACReSAL has become a platform of hope for vulnerable communities, restoring livelihoods, promoting climate resilience, and investing in people as the true drivers of sustainable development.

Academic and Professional Development

Driven by an unwavering quest for knowledge, Dr. Gyobe holds:

A Master’s Degree in Environmental Resources Management

A PhD in Environmental Resources Management from Nasarawa State University.

He also possesses a Diploma in Computer Science, professional training in Remote Sensing, and numerous local, national, and international certifications in agricultural business technology, advanced business administration, and project management, including executive training at Ibadan Business School.

He actively participated in the development of Nigeria’s Forestry Reference Emission Level (FREL) and remains a member of Nigeria’s delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Loss and Damage, contributing to global climate negotiations while amplifying local voices.

Global Exposure and Professional Impact

Dr. Gyobe’s wealth of experience has taken him to several international conferences, workshops, and technical engagements in the United Kingdom, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Ghana, Brazil, and other countries. These exposures have further enhanced his capacity to translate global best practices into local solutions.

Today, he is recognized as a seasoned Project Manager and Development Leader with expertise in:

• Dryland management
• Strategic watershed planning
• Land restoration and nature-based solutions
• Community climate resilience
• Institutional strengthening
• Policy formulation for sustainable development
• Committees and Leadership Roles.
• 
  

In addition to his core responsibilities, Dr. Gyobe has served in several strategic and high-impact roles, including:

Coordinator, Joint Task Force on Illegal Forest Activities in Nasarawa State, Secretary, Committee on the Review of Forest Policy and Law

Secretary, ACReSAL Project Coordinators’ Forum for the nineteen Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Dr. Napoleon Elias Gyobe

State Project Coordinator