The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has emphasized that Nigeria’s quest for food security cannot be realized without fully harnessing the capacities and potentials of its youth population.
IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, made this known on Thursday in Benin during the 5th Supervision Mission of the Federal Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and IFAD–Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises–Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project.
Ekoue explained that the LIFE-ND initiative was specifically designed to empower young people and women with practical agricultural business skills across the Niger Delta region. She noted that the programme adopts an incubation model that enables trainees to acquire hands-on experience before establishing their own agribusiness ventures.
According to her, IFAD has committed over $30 million to the first phase of the LIFE-ND project, which has already benefited more than 26,000 individuals.
“LIFE-ND is a unique programme to us at IFAD. We are committed to empowering youth in the agric business and to generate jobs,” she said. “We are talking about agric food system transformation; it is a key topic on the global platform.
“And food sovereignty cannot be achieved without fully harnessing the potentials of the youth in agric. Youth has the largest population. So, LIFE-ND is aimed at empowering youth with practical skills using a model of business incubation. By the time they go through the incubation process, they come out as business owners. They are able to set up an agric business.”
Ekoue further highlighted that many of the project’s beneficiaries have been successfully linked to markets, ensuring steady income and sustainable livelihoods.
“And we have a good story in terms of linking these agric business owners to the market. So, income generation and sales are not issues to them,” she stated. “Creating jobs for youths is the key to enabling growth; it is the key to peace; it is the key to development; it is the key to business growth.”
On women’s participation, the IFAD Country Director underscored the essential role of women in achieving food security and sovereignty. “LIFE-ND also emphasises on women. Women are key to food production; they are key to food transformation; they are key to food sovereignty; they are key to proper nutrition. This is what LIFE-ND is delivering,” she added.
Ekoue expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the 4th project supervision, noting that the assessment, carried out by an independent team, was aimed at reviewing progress, identifying challenges, and making recommendations for improvement.
“The supervision was to assess progress, identify challenges and opportunities for improvement, and to develop some recommendations for further enhancing,” she said. “This will provide direction on whether to continue or discontinue with the project.”
The National Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Dr. Abiodun Sanni, disclosed that the first phase of the programme covered six Niger Delta states — Ondo, Edo, Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Delta — with 26,470 beneficiaries, including youths, women, and persons with disabilities engaged across various agricultural value chains.
Sanni reaffirmed his commitment to the transformative agenda of the project, which he said aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He revealed that an additional 4,380 participants are being enrolled in the current phase, with plans to expand as more funding becomes available.
“We are going to add more beneficiaries as more funds come from our sponsors,” Sanni stated.
Speaking on behalf of the NDDC, Stella Manureh commended the initiative, describing it as a shared commitment to improving the lives of the people of the Niger Delta through food security.
“The LIFE-ND project is our shared commitment to improving lives of the Niger Delta people through food security. IFAD, your continued investment in agriculture has improved the livelihood of the people. It enforces our collective responsibility for transparency and accountability,” Manureh said.
