The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have launched the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises (LIFE-ND) Project in Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers States, aimed at enhancing food security in Nigeria.
During the launch in Port Harcourt, which gathered representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance, as well as officials from the three states, NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku highlighted the project’s alignment with President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on agriculture.
“Today’s launch of the LIFE-ND Project for Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers is more than a ceremony; it marks a bold step into agribusiness, creating opportunities for wealth and stability,” Ogbuku said. He emphasized that the initiative would empower entrepreneurs, foster financial independence, and generate sustainable livelihoods, with the NDDC standing as a co-sponsor alongside the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and IFAD.
Ogbuku noted that the LIFE-ND project is expected to directly benefit over 38,000 individuals, with its impact extending far beyond to touch many more across the Niger Delta. He reaffirmed NDDC’s commitment to empowering youth and women in the region, enabling them to build businesses that will uplift their families and communities.
The partnership between IFAD and NDDC, supported by a combined investment of US$90 million, aims to foster long-term agricultural development. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edu, represented by Director Steve Ohaeri, praised the initiative as a critical part of Nigeria’s strategy to address unemployment, food security, and agricultural potential in the Niger Delta.
Similarly, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by Dr. Peter Kush, acknowledged the LIFE-ND project’s success in establishing agriculture-based enterprises and mentoring apprentices in the region.
IFAD Country Director Mrs. Dede Ekoue emphasized the project’s focus on promoting youth and women-led agribusinesses, fostering inclusive economic growth, and ensuring food security in the Niger Delta.
NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Victor Antai, described LIFE-ND as a beacon of hope and progress for Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers States. He highlighted the commission’s longstanding partnership with IFAD, dating back to 2005, which has empowered farmers and enhanced agricultural productivity in the region.
National Project Coordinator Abiodun Sanni provided an overview of the project’s success in six initial states—Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Ondo—setting a high standard to be replicated in Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers.
