The Federal Government says it has so far pumped $40 or N60bn into the rural economy of the Niger Delta.
In the process, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture with a loan from the International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD) and in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has created 26,100 jobs in the rural economy.
The project is being implemented through a special purpose vehicle, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND).
Abiodun Sanni, an engineer and national coordinator of LIFE-ND, disclosed these figures in Port Harcourt Monday, July 21, 2025, during the flag-off of the second batch of orientation camp for Rivers State.
Sanni said the project aims at improving the lives of youths and women in the Niger Delta region.
He stated: “For years, we’ve been operating in the six IFAD-funded states. We recorded appreciable success, creating sustainable jobs to over 26,100 beneficiaries and we’re also impacting heavily by injecting large number of funds.”
He said now that the three NDDC-funded states (Imo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom) have joined, the figure would shoot to 38,250 new jobs soon; all aimed at ensuring that rural poverty is brought to the minimal level while ensuring that the social inclusion in the economy brings prosperity, growth and process in our rural community.
“The NDDC now is to compliment with the additional 12,750 and we’ve started the journey. What we’re trying to do is to scale up our operations and see that largely, we bring more youths onboard and address the issue of our beneficiaries having the feeling that largely, what we’re doing is not real.
“For this particular phase we’re targeting over 500 beneficiaries. We’re the first set, I’m sure by tomorrow another set will come and participate in this orientation training.”
Sanni said Life-ND is a collaboration of these different partners and people can see that the Nigerian government is quite ready and quite focused and positively impressing and developing the youths of the Niger Delta region. “Today we are focusing on Rivers State, in the next few days we’ll be Akwa-Ibom and also in Imo.”
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He profusely commended the present leadership of the NDDC for putting their money where their mouth is.
He said when this project was introduced, some were doubting it. “We don’t have doubting Thomases in Life-ND again. Life-ND is a permanent project, Life-ND is a talk and do project.”
Speaking at the event, Stella Manureh, who represented Winifred Madame, the NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, expressed warm greetings from Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC managing director, said to be full of passion for the agric programme in the Niger Delta.
She observed that the selection exercise was very rigorous and congratulated those that scaled through.
“The first batch of incubatees has already completed their apprenticeship phase and are currently undergoing mentorship under the LIFE-ND Project. We are confident that you too will make the most of this opportunity and follow in their successful footsteps.
“At the NDDC, we are proud to be part of this transformative initiative. Our role, as a key partner in the FGN/NDDC/IFAD partnership is not just about providing resources; it is about ensuring that we equip the youth, women Headed households and people living with disability with the necessary skills, tools, and networks to succeed.”
She reiterated the responsibilities on both the incubators and incubatees and urged the incubators to be proud of grooming the next generation of agripreneurs in the oil region. “To the incubatees, this is your moment. The resources, knowledge, and support made available through the LIFE-ND Project are designed to propel you toward success.
It is your hard work, passion, and determination, however, that will ultimately shape the outcome of your journey. The incubation centres are more than just training facilities-they are platforms for practical, hands-on experience that will equip you to thrive in the agribusiness sector.
“As you embark on this journey, I encourage you to embrace the spirit of collaboration. Success in business is never a solo endeavor. It takes teamwork, sharing knowledge, and learning from each other. You are not just building businesses; you are building communities, and this is something that can only be achieved through unity and collaboration.”
She reaffirmed the steadfastness of the NDDC to the Life-ND Project. “We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and are confident that with your passion, dedication, and the support of your incubators, you will reach new heights.”
In his welcome address, Loveday Itatat, Rivers State coordinator of LIFE-ND, at the Orientation Camp, said the camp comprised 47 Incubators and 520 Incubatees that emerged from 5000 applicants. He explained the funding structure of the project and said the goal of the project is to transform the rural economy, ensuring increased income, food security, and job creation for youth, women-headed households, and persons with disabilities through agri-enterprise development using the incubation model. “Under this model, Incubatees are paired with experienced Incubators for training, mentorship, and technical support to build their own sustainable enterprises.”
Since the kickoff of the Rivers State wing in September 2024, he said, significant strides have been made as 66 of 104 target communities have already been reached-representing 63.5% coverage.
He said the first batch engaged 350 Incubatees and 25 incubation centres with what he cammed a commendable gender balance with 54% female and 46% male participation was achieved.
Atatat said about 70 percent of the first batch of Incubatees have been empowered and have commenced their individual businesses.
The remaining 30%, he said, are mostly long term incubatees that just finished their apprenticeship but that their supplies were underway for the required inputs for the commencement of their businesses in progress.
He gave generous advice to both the incubators and incubatees in Rivers State and commended the management of the NDDC for bringing the scheme to the three remaining states.
In his remarks, Maurice Ogolo, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, represented by Nkem Odoya, said LIFE-ND Project is for the good of Rivers State, and is out to improve livelihoods and promote economic development in the Niger Delta region.
He said the Rivers State Government is committed to supporting initiatives that promote economic growth and development and gave huge applause to Gov Sim Fubara (suspended) for prompt directive to pay the state’s counterpart fund.
He said: “May I also thank the FG, the present Management of the NDDC, IFAD”.
Randy Minimah, programe manager, Rivers State Agric Development Programme (ADP), said: “We have strong conviction that the project beneficiaries will be given the necessary motivation towards improving Agro-business in the state, thereby making food sufficiency available at affordable prices and also accelerate economic activities for the livelihood and well-being of people in the state.
state.”
He said the vision of Rivers State ADP is to work with relevant stakeholders to build sustainable agro-business economy capable of delivering prosperity by meeting domestic food security goals, generating exports, supporting livelihood through coordinated Extension Services Delivery to small-holder famers who constitute 75% of Farm families in the state.”
He warned that Nigeria today is faced with enormous challenges of unemployment and stagnation with acute poverty. “The only way to seek a real and lasting solution is our sincere involvement in Agriculture.”
He reflected back to the COVID-19 period and said it is disheartening that the chunk of food supplied to vulnerable people in the state as palliative were brought from outside the state whereas he said Rivers State is blessed with fertile soil which can be cultivated to provide enough food for consumption and export.
“We are therefore calling on the beneficiaries to dedicate themselves towards fostering goodness, discipline with great passion for acquiring practical skills of Agriculture in the areas of crops, livestock and fisheries.”
An incubator, Ibim Daminabo, said he is teaching his incubatees how to fend for themselves in future. “I’m a poultry farmer, so I train them in broiler production, on egg marketing and egg production.”
One of the trainees, Nwile Stella Kiakah, confirmed the effectiveness of the scheme saying it has exposed her to a lot of things especially on how to grow her own birds. “I’m going to rear my own birds after now. I was picked from an interview in my village. Those who answered correctly were chosen.”
Officials say the LIFE-ND project targets a reach of 900 matured enterprises called “incubators” and 38,250 apprentices. It works through the incubators to mentor the 38,250 apprentices, comprising 25,000 in the 6 IFAD states and 12,750 in 3 NDDC states, to engage in agribusiness. It is expected that the apprentices (incubatees) will mature to become incubators. “In this manner, the innovative LIFE-ND project is a sustainable instrument to create gainful jobs for women and youth.”
They also added that overall, the project targets 50% male and 50% female participation. “It works on seven priority commodities including Rice, Cassava, Plantain, Oil Palm, Cocoa, Poultry, and fishery (aquaculture and artisanal) all implemented along the value chains of production, processing and marketing. The project is aimed at realizing a transformed rural economy in the Niger Delta from which every population can derive prosperity and equal benefits.
“The project is domiciled in the rural communities, 10 LGAs and 10 Communities in each LGA”.
