Opinion
Renewed Hope Agenda through Implementation of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta
By Dr.Abiodun Sanni
The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta stands as one of Nigeria’s most strategic interventions aimed at tackling rural poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity through sustainable agricultural development.
Since its launch in February 2019, the programme has recorded significant progress across the core Niger Delta states of Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Ondo, with additional support in Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers through NDDC funding. Its core objective is to improve income levels, enhance food security, and create employment opportunities by developing viable agri-enterprises, while also addressing youth restiveness in the region.
After six years of implementation, the project has achieved measurable results, leading to an additional financing package of $32 million to consolidate existing gains and expand its impact over a new three-year cycle commencing in March 2025.
A key strength of the programme is its innovative enterprise development model. Beneficiaries, referred to as incubates, are attached to established agribusiness operators who provide mentorship, hands-on training, and technical guidance. This approach ensures that participants gain practical experience and are equipped to establish and manage profitable enterprises after graduation, thereby addressing unemployment challenges in the Niger Delta and across Nigeria.
The project also focuses on high-value agricultural commodities such as rice, cassava, plantain, oil palm, cocoa, poultry, and fisheries. Operating mainly in selected local government areas and rural communities, it directly targets populations that are often excluded from mainstream economic opportunities. With a strong emphasis on gender inclusion, the initiative ensures that women—who make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce—are economically and socially empowered.
The additional financing phase is expected to benefit over 13,000 new incubates and provide business development services to more than 51,000 individuals. This expansion is designed not only to increase numbers but also to deepen impact, scale innovation, and strengthen institutional structures across the region.
A recent joint supervision mission across participating states, particularly in Edo State, marked an important milestone. It provided stakeholders with an opportunity to evaluate progress, exchange insights, and offer technical guidance to ensure smooth implementation of the new financing phase. The mission also served to highlight achievements, reinforce partnerships, and promote accountability.
As the programme continues to gain momentum, it is attracting the attention of policymakers, development experts, and community stakeholders. The involvement of global and national leaders underscores its importance as a flagship initiative within Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda. The President of IFAD, Alvaro Lario, has consistently advocated for inclusive investments that empower rural populations—an objective clearly reflected in the LIFE-ND project. Likewise, the IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, has played a vital role in ensuring effective coordination and implementation.
The project’s impact on the national economy and food security is substantial. It has created 23,751 jobs and trained 26,470 individuals in income-generating activities. Additionally, a total of 122,332 metric tonnes of agricultural produce has been generated across supported value chains, resulting in gross earnings of ₦31.35 billion (USD 49.77 million) for beneficiaries across the Niger Delta states. This underscores agriculture’s viability as a key driver of economic diversification in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the project has made significant investments in market-oriented infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access. Achievements include the construction of 130.77 kilometres of roads linking farming communities to markets, six climate-resilient bridges, 71 culverts, and 82 solar-powered water schemes. It has also developed 5,305 hectares of farmland and established 23 market facilities, 121 production cluster centres, and 31 storage facilities across participating communities.
In support of climate-resilient agriculture, LIFE-ND has trained 1,600 stakeholders using seasonal climate predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET). Weather updates are now disseminated to over 18,000 beneficiaries via SMS and WhatsApp platforms. Additionally, two automated weather stations have been installed in Ondo and Cross River States, while over 150 handheld weather devices have been distributed to leading incubates.
In Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, alongside the Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, have reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging agriculture for economic diversification and food security. Complementing these efforts is the National Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Dr. Abiodun Sanni, whose leadership has been pivotal in aligning the project with national development priorities and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta goes beyond being an agricultural initiative; it is a transformative platform for economic empowerment, social inclusion, and sustainable development. By investing in people, strengthening value chains, and fostering partnerships, it is laying a strong foundation for long-term prosperity. As Nigeria continues to confront unemployment and food insecurity, LIFE-ND offers a practical and scalable model for inclusive growth and national development.
Dr. Abiodun Sanni, National Coordinator, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project (LIFE-ND)
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