The FGN/NDDC/IFAD assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project has trained and empowered 1,420 unemployed and underemployed youths in Akwa Ibom State in different agricultural businesses across 10 selected Local Government Areas.
This was disclosed during the 3rd Joint Monitoring and Oversight visit by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the LIFE-ND National Project Coordinating Office (NPCO) and the Akwa Ibom State Project Coordinating Office to incubation centres in the state.
Twelve incubation centres were selected in eight local government areas. In Essien Udim, the centres are located at Ekpeyong Atai, Adiasim Ikot Essen Ndot, and Ukana Ikot Ntuen. In Mbo, the centre is at Afi Uda village. In Nsit Ubium, it is at Ikot Ikpe Okon. In Ini Local Government Area, the centres are at Ikot Nung Mbiabong Ukan and Ndot Ikpe. Etim Ekpo has Ata Nto Obo. In Onna, the centres are at Awa Iman and Ikot Ese Ishiet. Mkpat Enin has Ikot Akata, while Ibiono Ibom has Nung Udoe Itak.
LIFE-ND is being implemented across the nine Niger Delta states, with IFAD funding six states, Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Ondo, while NDDC funds Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers. The project covers 90 local government areas and 900 communities, focusing on establishing profitable agribusinesses, improving infrastructure, promoting financial inclusion and strengthening rural institutions.
The project has two components: economic opportunity enhancement and project management and coordination. Its primary beneficiaries are 4,250 per state unemployed and underemployed youths aged 18 to 35, women-headed households with children under 15 years, and people living with disabilities. They receive agribusiness training and support to become self-sufficient in selected enterprises within the agribusiness value chain, alongside strengthened local governments, communities and private sector operators.
LIFE-ND is a collaboration between the Federal Government of Nigeria, IFAD and NDDC. It was approved in December 2017 and supports national policies on youth employment and agriculture. The project runs in two phases of six years each and uses an Incubation Model to develop skilled agri-preneurs. It is a 12-year initiative aimed at transforming the rural economy of the Niger Delta by enhancing income, food security and job creation for youths and women through sustainable agribusiness development.
In Akwa Ibom State, the project was launched on September 13, 2024, and focuses on four priority commodities: Cassava, Oil Palm, Fishery and Poultry. The pilot phase covers 10 local government areas, Ibesikpo Asutan, Mbo, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Essien Udim, Ini, Etim Ekpo, Ibiono Ibom, Nsit Ubium and Oruk Anam, representing the three Senatorial Districts with active project presence.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Oretan Adebowale, who represented the NDDC Headquarters, said the gesture was made possible by the Managing Director of NDDC to uplift the living standard of people in the region. He noted that although the first phase of the programme had been completed in six other states, the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, ensured that funds needed for the take-off and implementation of the project in Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers were released to achieve a transformed rural economy.
Mr. Norbert Brown, Director of NDDC State Office, said the proposal submitted to the NDDC Board by Dr Mrs. Winifred Madume, Director of Agriculture, was promptly approved due to her passion for the vulnerable in the region. He explained that the project is funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria, IFAD and NDDC, with counterpart funding and enabling environment provided by the state government. He added that LIFE-ND had recorded significant success in the last one year in benefitting communities in Akwa Ibom State.
He urged beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously, devote time and make the best out of it for their own benefit.
Stella Manureh, NDDC Representative, reiterated that the Commission is ready to provide every necessary support to move LIFE-ND to the next level. She explained that the major objective of LIFE-ND is to improve beneficiaries’ income, create job opportunities and enhance food security in the region. She said the project has recorded success stories and has been very impactful.
Mr. Bunmi Ogunleye, Technical Assistant to the National Project Coordinator, representing Engr. Dr. Abiodun Sanni, told beneficiaries that the monitoring visit was to ensure that funds released had been properly utilised and spent for the right purpose. He said the visit would continue as a routine exercise until the desired results are achieved.
At the pre-field meeting for the 3rd Joint Monitoring and Oversight visit, the State Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Solomon Joe, said the project, sponsored by NDDC, the Federal Government of Nigeria, IFAD and the Akwa Ibom State Government, had supported 1,420 beneficiaries in 2025 out of the 4,250 targeted over six years in the state.
He explained that 350 beneficiaries were supported in seven local government areas in the first phase, 500 in the second phase, and 570 in 10 local government areas in the third phase. He added that all beneficiaries received stipends, working capital and seed capital.
Some excited incubatees and incubators visited expressed appreciation for the support from the Federal Government of Nigeria, NDDC and IFAD through LIFE-ND, stating that the programme has brought relief and new opportunities to them.
