The Federal Government, in partnership with Giving to the Needy Mission International (GINMI), has launched a livelihood empowerment programme targeting 10,000 vulnerable youth and women, with plans to generate up to 20,000 jobs across Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled in Abuja through the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC-ONSA), signals a strategic shift in the country’s response to insecurity, placing economic empowerment at the centre of national security efforts. Rather than relying solely on military operations, authorities say the programme is designed to address the root causes of violent extremism, including poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.
Speaking at the launch, National Coordinator of NCTC, Adamu Laka, represented by Abimbola Wonosikou, Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), described the initiative as more than a conventional development project.
He said, “This programme goes beyond a typical intervention. It should be seen as a critical component of Nigeria’s national security strategy.”
According to him, Nigeria is currently grappling with a dangerous mix of economic hardship and rising insecurity, particularly in vulnerable communities where limited access to opportunities has created conditions that can be exploited by extremist and criminal groups.
“Nigeria is currently facing a dangerous convergence of economic hardship and insecurity in many communities, resulting in displacement, fear, and limited access to economic opportunities,” he said. “These conditions create fertile ground for exploitation. By implementing this initiative, we are not just providing livelihoods, we are de-risking the future of vulnerable populations.”
The programme is structured to equip beneficiaries with practical, income-generating skills, alongside start-up support and access to markets, ensuring that participants are not only trained but also able to sustain their livelihoods. A major focus is on agricultural value chains, including cassava processing, rice and maize cultivation, poultry farming, and aquaculture, sectors identified as both economically viable and scalable.
Officials say the decision to focus on agriculture is deliberate, given its capacity to absorb labour and provide steady income across rural and semi-urban communities. The integration of market linkages is also expected to address a common gap in empowerment programmes, where beneficiaries are trained but lack access to buyers.
The Chairman of GINMI, Reuben Egwu, described the initiative as a strategic response to the economic vulnerabilities that often fuel insecurity, noting that it will be implemented over a three-year period from 2026 to 2028 across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said, “This programme is a strategic non-kinetic response designed to tackle the economic vulnerabilities that fuel insecurity.” He added that the phased rollout is expected to generate up to 20,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide, as beneficiaries establish and expand income-generating activities within their communities.
Beyond direct job creation, stakeholders emphasised the broader economic ripple effects of the initiative, including opportunities for suppliers, transporters, and market operators who form part of the agricultural value chain.
Also speaking, Iyke Ezeugo, Chief Operating Officer of the DoGood Foundation for the Needy, Inc., who represented the organisation’s Founder and CEO, Iheanyichukwu Sunday, stressed that empowering vulnerable populations should be prioritised as a national security measure.
“Empowering vulnerable populations with practical skills and enterprise support should be seen as a national security priority, not just an economic intervention,” he said. “Addressing poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation is crucial to eliminating the recruitment base of extremist groups.”
The Federal Government, through the NCTC, noted that the programme aligns with Nigeria’s broader framework on preventing and countering violent extremism, particularly efforts aimed at strengthening community resilience and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Officials further highlighted the importance of collaboration, noting that government efforts alone would not be sufficient to tackle the complex drivers of insecurity. Development partners, private sector players, and financial institutions have been called upon to provide both technical and financial support to scale the impact of the initiative.
With a target of empowering 10,000 beneficiaries and generating up to 20,000 jobs, the programme represents a significant attempt to link economic opportunity with long-term stability, positioning livelihood support as a frontline tool in reducing vulnerability and strengthening communities across Nigeria.
