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AfDB approves $200m loan for NAGS-AP Phase 2 Agricultural Scale Up in Nigeria

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AfDB approves $200m loan for NAGS-AP Phase 2 Agricultural Scale Up in Nigeria

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $200 million loan to support the scale up of priority agricultural investments in Nigeria under the second phase of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP).

The funding will help boost productivity, strengthen value chains and accelerate climate-smart, data-driven farming across the country. The scheme is part of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s wider agricultural reform efforts.

The new approval follows an earlier financing for Sector Budget Support under the Bank Group’s African Emergency Food Production Facility. It will directly support the implementation of five key programmes under the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).

The five focus areas include access to high-quality agricultural inputs, strengthening value chains for priority crops, revitalising extension services, promoting digital and climate-smart agriculture, and improving agricultural data management systems.

According to details of the programme, the funding is designed to raise staple crop production and productivity by making accessible technologies available to farmers. These include climate-resistant, high-yield seed varieties and fertiliser blends tailored to local environments.

The scheme will also expand access to crop insurance to protect farmers from climate-related losses. It aims to increase wheat production fivefold and raise rice output by 20 percent in order to strengthen national self-sufficiency. In addition, it seeks to encourage Nigerian youth to expand cultivated areas and adopt more commercially oriented farming practices, helping to turn the country’s growing youth population into a driver of economic opportunity.

Dr. Abdul Kamara, African Development Bank Director General for Nigeria, said the second phase builds on earlier achievements.

“Building on the strong results achieved under Phase 1, this second phase draws directly from those lessons and successes to scale up impact even further. By expanding access to quality inputs, digital tools, and climate-smart technologies, we are supporting farmers to improve productivity and resilience. This programme will continue to play a critical role in reducing food imports, boosting local production, and advancing inclusive growth across the country,” he said.

The first phase of NAGS-AP introduced an ICT-based system that delivered quality seeds, pesticides and fertiliser to farmers through more than 600 agro-dealers nationwide. It also supported the cultivation of 118,000 hectares of wheat during the 2023/2024 dry season, tripling national wheat output to an estimated 0.5 million metric tons in 2024.

So far, about 650,000 smallholder farmers growing wheat, rice, cassava, maize, sorghum and millet have benefited from the programme.

Agriculture currently employs 38 percent of Nigeria’s working population and contributes 25.2 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). However, the sector continues to face low productivity due to limited access to quality seeds and fertilisers, weak land tenure systems, low irrigation levels, climate breakdown and soil degradation.

The project will run for four years beginning in March 2026. It aligns with Bank Group President Sidi Ould Tah’s Four Cardinal Points strategic vision for Africa, which focuses on empowering young people and women through technology and financial support.

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Nigeria must turn youth population into economic advantage: Tijani

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Nigeria must turn youth population into economic advantage: Tijani

Bosun Tijani, Federal Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has said Nigeria must act quickly to turn its growing youth population into an economic advantage rather than a national challenge.

Speaking yesterday in Oslo during the European roadshow for Project BRIDGE, Tijani said his engagements with NORAD, NORFUND, the University of Oslo, SINTEF and PRIO pushed him to reflect not only on infrastructure but on Nigeria’s future.

He said PRIO’s research on Nigeria’s youth bulge was “sobering and reassuring at the same time.”

“Nigeria is one of the youngest nations on earth and millions of young people enter working age every year. That energy can become our greatest blessing or it can become a source of strain,” he said.

According to him, “Demography is not destiny. It is direction shaped by policy, discipline and investment.”

He noted that PRIO observed that Nigeria today sits roughly where South Korea stood in the 1970s, when its youth population was strategically harnessed for transformation. “That comparison is not about imitation. It is about possibility,” he explained.

Tijani stressed that “the difference between dividend and disruption is structure,” adding that the government’s agenda is structural and interconnected.

He described Project BRIDGE as an effort to build the backbone that allows young Nigerians to create, work and compete globally. He said NUCAP, the rural tower programme, is designed to ensure that children in riverine and remote communities are not excluded from opportunity because of geography.

“Our satellite investments strengthen national resilience and extend connectivity to every corner of our country,” he said.

The minister added that 3MTT is preparing the workforce at scale, while the national AI strategy positions Nigeria’s youth to become creators in the next technological wave.

However, he said infrastructure and skills alone are not enough. “We are expanding the digital economy so that there is real demand for talent, more startups, more innovation and more export capacity,” he stated.

He also said the government is driving e-governance reform to make public services more efficient, transparent and digitally accessible, thereby lowering friction for entrepreneurs, reducing cost of compliance and building trust in institutions.

“There are not many investments capable of converting a youth bulge into a demographic dividend. Connectivity at scale. Skills at scale. Institutional reform. Digital public infrastructure. Policy coherence,” he said.

Drawing a comparison with natural resources, Tijani said, “Like oil, demography can bless or destabilise. Norway reminds us that resources become prosperity only when governed wisely.”

Reflecting on his experience, he said, “My years building CcHUB showed me that talent is abundant in Nigeria and my time in public service has reinforced that infrastructure, institutions, and policy determine whether that talent finds expression.”

He acknowledged that some may not immediately see the value in laying fibre across tens of thousands of kilometres, connecting remote communities, investing early in AI or digitising public services.

“But demographic windows are time-bound. If we do not build the rails now, the pressure will build elsewhere,” he warned.

“I am resolved to stay focused. To ensure that this moment of service is used to lay the foundations that will allow Nigeria’s youth bulge to become a blessing,” he said.

“History will not judge us by noise. It will judge us by whether we engineered the dividend. And I intend to stand and be counted.”

Tinubu unveils Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025, orders immediate implementation

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Tinubu unveils Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025, orders immediate implementation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday unveiled the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025, charging relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure its speedy implementation.

The policy, described as a roadmap for re-engineering Nigeria’s industrial base, aims to unlock value across sectors and place production, competitiveness, and job creation at the centre of the country’s economic strategy. Speaking at the official launch held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, the President stressed that the new policy already has a clear implementation architecture.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President noted that policies often fail not at conception but at execution. He regretted that for too long, Nigeria has struggled “with fragmented value chains, high production costs, infrastructure gaps, policy inconsistency, and insufficient coordination between government and industry.”

He declared firmly that “this stops now,” explaining that the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025 is an acknowledgement of those shortcomings and a clear effort to address them.

“We have realised that industrialisation is not a wish you think about; it is an action you perform. More than that, we must remind ourselves that this task demands coherence across energy, trade, infrastructure, finance, skills, and innovation. It requires partnership between government and the private sector,” he said.

President Tinubu insisted that implementation and execution would define the success of the policy. He recalled that when his administration came into office in 2023, it did so with a promise to redefine Nigeria’s industrial ambition.

“The defining strength of this policy is its insistence on implementation. This administration will not measure success by the number of documents we produce,” he said.

“We will measure success by the number of factories that open their gates at dawn, by the jobs created for our young men and women, by the exports that leave our ports bearing the mark of Nigerian excellence, and by the value retained within our own economy.”

Outlining the key components of the Nigeria Industrial Policy 2025, the President explained that it prioritises strategic sector focus based on Nigeria’s comparative and competitive advantages.

“It advances value chain development so that Nigeria moves steadily from exporting raw materials to producing finished goods. It integrates our micro, small, and medium enterprises into the heart of industrial growth, because prosperity must not be exclusive,” he said.

“It aligns infrastructure and energy with industrial ambition, for factories cannot run on policy alone. It strengthens skills, technology, and innovation to prepare our people for the industries of today and tomorrow.”

The President also called for stronger private sector participation, urging businesses “to invest with confidence and responsibility, to deepen local value chains, to create jobs and transfer skills, and to partner with government in building a productive economy.”

He commended the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, “for his disciplined leadership and clarity of purpose in driving” the process. According to him, the Minister “has demonstrated that policy leadership is not about noise, but about substance, coordination, and follow-through.”

President Tinubu further applauded the Ministry’s technical teams, industry stakeholders, manufacturers, investors, and practitioners for shaping the policy into “a document grounded in reality and informed by experience.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Industry, Chief John Owan Enoh, described the launch as a turning point aimed at building an industrial Nigeria that produces, competes, and prospers.

On his part, Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, thanked the federal government for introducing what he called a progressive industrial policy. He observed that Nigeria is the only country in Africa where the private sector is bigger than the government.

Dangote said domestic manufacturers are pleased with the policy created by the Tinubu administration and expressed strong confidence in the country’s currency outlook. According to him, “the naira, this year, will be at ₦1,000 to $100.”

He added that many investors are willing to invest in Nigeria due to foreign exchange stability and other reforms. However, he stressed the importance of protecting indigenous industries.

“If there is no protection, there is no way any industry will thrive here,” Dangote stated.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, also expressed optimism. He said that with the official launch of the policy, Nigeria has taken a step into its future where hope is translated into action, leading to inclusive economic growth.

He explained that the policy is the outcome of an ongoing partnership between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Nigeria, aimed at transforming the country into a beacon of prosperity and a key player in regional and global value chains.

Similarly, the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye, commended the President for launching the policy. He noted that manufacturers are focused on its effective implementation and backed the promotion of indigenous entrepreneurship as enshrined in the policy. He assured that MAN would give full support to ensure its successful implementation.

CIVTECH Training Begins for 2,000 Cross River Civil Servants

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CIVTECH Training Begins for 2,000 Cross River Civil Servants

The Cross River State Government has officially commenced the Civil Service Technology Empowerment for Capacity & High-performance (CIVTECH) Programme, an initiative designed to digitally transform the state’s public workforce.

The intensive training phase of the programme began on Monday, February 16, 2026, under the administration of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. The initiative is aimed at equipping 2,000 civil servants with essential digital skills to improve efficiency, innovation, and service delivery across government ministries and agencies.

CIVTECH is a collaborative effort involving the Office of the Head of Service, the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The training is being hosted at the Cross River State ICT Hub, also known as the CR-ICT Hub, with a flexible and high-impact schedule designed to accommodate the large number of participants.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of CRSMEDA, Great Ogban, described the programme as a strategic investment in governance. He said, “The CIVTECH Programme is more than just a training series; it is a strategic investment in the future of governance and to also drive the People First agenda.” He added that by empowering civil servants with 21st-century tools, Cross River State is positioning itself as a leader in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The programme aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda to promote a paperless civil service and reduce administrative bottlenecks in public service delivery. It focuses on building digital capacity and encouraging the use of automated systems to enhance productivity and transparency.

The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, participated in the official flag-off of the programme. Representing him at the ceremony, Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director of the Stakeholder Management and Partnership Department at NITDA, delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of digital transformation in public service.

Dr Onumo emphasised the urgent need for Nigeria’s public service to transition “from bureaucracy to digital excellence.” He noted that citizens now expect government services to reflect the speed, transparency, and convenience found in digital banking and e-commerce platforms.

Declaring the programme open, the Head of Service, Mr Orok Okon, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of its workforce. He stated that the government is determined to equip civil servants with the competencies required to drive efficient, technology-enabled service delivery.

Dr Onumo commended Cross River State for embracing digital reform and encouraged the adoption of modern tools and technology-driven skills. He stressed that a truly high-performance public service must leverage technology to deliver excellence, anytime, anywhere, and for everyone.

Other key figures present at the event included Ekuri Ekuri Asu, Centre Manager of the Cross River State ICT Hub, who is supporting the coordination of the training sessions.

FG to Launch National Community Food Bank Programme in April

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FG to Launch National Community Food Bank Programme in April

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and other partners, is set to launch a National Community Food Bank Programme in April to tackle child malnutrition across Nigeria.

Senator Oluremi disclosed this while flagging off an advocacy and awareness campaign for the national community food bank programme aimed at addressing child health challenges caused by malnutrition. The event took place in Abuja on Tuesday during the Federal Government’s first edition of the National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health, held at the State House Banquet Hall.

Speaking at the summit, Mrs Tinubu stressed the importance of health to national development.

“Health, as we all know, is central to the well-being, productivity and progress of any nation.

“It is for this reason that President Bola Tinubu placed health at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda as an essential pillar of national development.”

She explained that the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria would work closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address child malnutrition across the country.

“This year, the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria will be working with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address child malnutrition across the nation,” she said.

According to her, her office and the ministry will also collaborate with BOI, BOA and other partners to officially launch the National Community Food Bank Programme in April.

She said the programme is designed to strengthen community nutrition support, improve access to safe and nutritious food for vulnerable children, and contribute meaningfully to the national response to ending child malnutrition.

“The programme will operate through the nationwide network of Primary Health Centres to identify and register eligible families with children under six years.

“Caregivers will receive counselling and be given food vouchers that they can redeem for nutritious locally-grown foods at food banks that will be established close to the health centres.

“This initiative will be funded through a Trust Fund by willing private sector partners and well-meaning Nigerians, and to ensure accountability, the trust fund will be overseen by credible Nigerians,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu called on traditional and religious leaders to support the initiative by raising awareness and sensitising households so that no eligible family is left behind.

She acknowledged the presence of traditional and religious leaders from across the country and thanked them for their leadership roles and commitment to the well-being of the people.

The First Lady also advised the wives of governors nationwide to support the advocacy campaign and ensure that the programme reaches those who need it most.

“I commend the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and his team on this particular health summit. Well done for all the great work that you have been doing to improve healthcare delivery to our people.

“At this juncture, I officially flag off the Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme.

“I also congratulate our health volunteers, the National Health Fellows and wish you all success as you commence this journey to contribute to our beloved nation.

“While learning and building your skills, together we will build healthier and stronger generations of Nigerian children,” Mrs Tinubu said.

Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, said the initiative aligns with the sector’s Renewal Investment Initiative and President Tinubu’s broader reform agenda.

Pate noted that the programme also aims to improve governance, service quality, security and domestic health financing.

He said the Federal Government convened the National Summit on Health as part of its efforts to deepen community engagement, strengthen health reforms and improve health outcomes nationwide.

“Today we have gathered to hear the details of what the federal government has decided to do with both the state government and the local government.

“Secondly, the malnutrition issue, we have built an infrastructure for our children to address the issue of acute malnutrition,” Pate said.

Traditional and religious leaders from the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, attended the summit.

Political leaders, health sector stakeholders, other prominent Nigerians and representatives of the World Health Organisation were also present at the event.

Temu responds as NDPC probes alleged data protection breaches in Nigeria

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Temu responds as NDPC probes alleged data protection breaches in Nigeria

Temu, the global e-commerce platform, has responded to an ongoing investigation by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), saying it is committed to protecting users’ personal information and will cooperate fully with authorities.

The response follows an earlier announcement by the NDPC that it had launched a probe into the platform over alleged breaches of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. The commission said the investigation is focused on how Temu collects, processes, stores, and transfers Nigerians’ personal data.

In a statement sent via email to Nigeria Startup News on Tuesday, Temu said safeguarding privacy remains central to its operations.

“At Temu, protecting user privacy and data security is a top priority. We are committed to complying with applicable laws and regulations in our data practices. We will continue to engage in open and constructive dialogue with the NDPC to address any questions or concerns,” the company stated.

Temu added that it would maintain open communication with the Nigerian regulator as the investigation progresses.

“We will continue to engage in open and constructive dialogue with the NDPC to address any questions or concerns,” the company noted.

The NDPC had earlier disclosed that it initiated the probe after identifying potential issues relating to the platform’s data processing activities. According to the commission, the investigation is examining key areas such as data minimisation, duty of care, transparency obligations, and cross-border transfer of personal information.

The regulator also warned that organisations processing the personal data of Nigerians without complying with the country’s data protection law could face enforcement actions, including penalties.

Temu entered the Nigerian market in late 2024 and has quickly gained popularity due to its low-priced products, strong advertising campaigns, and mobile-first shopping model. The platform is estimated to have attracted millions of Nigerian users within a short period, drawing regulatory attention over how large volumes of consumer data are managed.

Under the law, the NDPC is empowered to regulate how organisations collect and process personal data, investigate alleged breaches, and impose sanctions for violations.

Lagos Pushes Circular Economy to Turn Waste into Markets

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Lagos Pushes Circular Economy to Turn Waste into Markets

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said the concept of circular economy has inspired the state government to adopt innovative approaches that help reclaim value from resources that are currently being wasted.

The Governor made this known at the 2026 Nigeria Circular Economy Week held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island. He spoke through the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.

Sanwo-Olu said the aim of the state government is to ensure that the systems being built will outlast the present administration. He explained that the circular economy has helped Lagos create systems that keep materials in circulation and build markets that turn environmental responsibility into economic opportunities.

He described the theme of the event, “Turning Challenges into Markets,” as very apt. According to him, it captures how the state sees sustainability not as a distant goal, but as a practical approach to competitiveness, resilience and inclusive growth.

The Governor said the state has taken bold steps to restore order in urban areas. These include clearing illegal structures under bridges, removing blockages along drainage paths and reclaiming public land that had become unsafe and environmentally risky.

Sanwo-Olu stated that these actions are essential for public safety, flood prevention and environmental protection. He added that they also represent something deeper, which is the reclamation of land and infrastructure as valuable assets.

He explained that when the government clears drainage channels, it extends the life of roads and other public works. “When encroachments are removed, it restores natural flows of water which lowers the risk of flood,” he said.

The Governor further stated that reclaiming under-bridge spaces creates opportunities for organised public use. These uses may include transport hubs, markets, green spaces and community facilities. He maintained that environmental enforcement aligns with the principles of a circular economy because it brings value back to spaces and systems that had lost their productive potential.

Speaking on the next phase, Sanwo-Olu said the government plans to transform enforcement successes into economic opportunities. He noted that demolition and clearance efforts often produce recoverable materials such as metals, timber and plastics. He added that reclaimed areas can also become hubs for repairs, recycling and green businesses.

According to him, flood-resilient infrastructure helps to minimise material loss and replacement costs while safeguarding public investments. He also said that bringing informal waste workers into organised recovery systems can enhance livelihoods and strengthen material supply chains.

“These are tangible ways to turn environmental actions into market opportunities,” the Governor said.

He revealed that the government is also focused on locking in the progress already made. This includes strengthening regulatory clarity to support Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks and expanding recycling infrastructure through partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Sanwo-Olu added that the state is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, that turn waste into marketable products. He said the government is aligning public procurement with recycled and sustainable materials and formalising pathways for recovering materials from demolition and clearance activities.

While noting that the government can set the direction, he stressed that collaboration is what builds markets. “Lagos State government is inviting investors to back circular enterprises that are ready to grow,” he said.

He also encouraged manufacturers to design products with reuse and recyclability in mind. In addition, he urged researchers to move innovations from the laboratory stage to the production line.

The Governor called on development partners to continue supporting frameworks that connect sustainability with economic opportunities.

During a panel session at the event, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the state enacted a ban on the production, distribution and sale of single-use plastics in 2022.

Wahab, who was represented by the Director of Climate Change and Environmental Planning, Mr. Michael Bankole, explained that the ban covers items such as plastic bags, straws and cutlery. He said the policy is aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives.

Earlier in his remarks, the Netherlands Ambassador, Ambassador Bengt Van Looschrecht, said the Nigeria Circular Economy Programme was commissioned by the African Development Bank and supported by the Government to integrate circular principles into national policy.

He explained that the programme targets high-impact sectors including agriculture, energy, waste management and industrial processes. According to him, the Netherlands worked closely to develop the Nigeria Circular Economy Programme, which was launched by the Ministry of Environment in 2024.

Van Looschrecht added that Lagos has been identified as an initial pilot model for circularity under the programme. He stated that the Netherlands will remain a partner of Nigeria in scaling holistic and sustainable solutions to address what he described as the triple climate crisis, which includes climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

LIFE-ND empowers 1,420 Akwa Ibom youths in agribusiness

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LIFE-ND empowers 1,420 Akwa Ibom youths in agribusiness

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.

COLE2Lead Launches 23 Virtual Learning Hubs Across Rivers LGAs

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COLE2Lead Launches 23 Virtual Learning Hubs Across Rivers LGAs

Communities across Rivers State are set to benefit from a major education and leadership development project as the COLE2Lead initiative rolls out 23 virtual learning hubs across the state.

The centres are designed as technology-enabled spaces to promote academic excellence, skills acquisition and leadership development among young people. The programme will operate in all 23 local government areas and is expected to engage more than 31,900 emerging leaders.

Tonye Cole, the programme initiator, said the initiative, tagged COLE2Lead, is a policy and leadership accelerator created to bridge the gap between political ambition and effective governance by focusing on policy literacy and civic responsibility.

“The initiative reinforces The COLE’ctive’s commitment to building inclusive systems that ensure leadership renewal is intentional and grounded in community realities,” he said.

Cole added that the programme seeks to democratise leadership by making opportunities accessible to committed individuals from communities, professional sectors and youth networks, not only those with proximity to power.

“Leadership should never be accidental. COLE2Lead is about preparing people to lead with clarity, competence, and a deep sense of responsibility to the public.

“The programme’s structure includes establishing 23 virtual learning hubs and delivering governance training across 319 wards,” Cole noted.

He further explained that participants, drawn from civic platforms such as FREE2RUN Rivers, will take part in workshops and mentorship sessions aimed at strengthening ethical decision-making and shaping a strong public service mindset.

Cole emphasised that the programme is designed to demystify governance and equip emerging leaders with practical tools to understand policy processes and lead with credibility.

According to him, by embedding leadership development within real civic engagement, COLE2Lead aims to build a sustainable pipeline of competent leaders across the state.

FG: Presidential Emergency Food Intervention Covers 10 States

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FG: Presidential Emergency Food Intervention Covers 10 States

The federal government has disclosed that the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Intervention under the administration of President Bola Tinubu covers 10 of the most humanitarian-affected states in the country: Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, made this known yesterday in Maiduguri during the flag off of distribution of assorted food and non-food items to victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State.

He explained that the programme is a coordinated national response to multiple shocks arising from conflict, climate change, and economic pressures.

According to the minister, the federal government has approved and mobilised large quantities of food and nutrition items nationwide. These include rice, beans, millet, maize, cooking oil, fortified food supplements, condiments, salt, and assorted essential medicines.

Doro noted that Borno State remains a priority beneficiary because of prolonged displacement and socio-economic disruption. He said the state has received substantial allocations of food, nutrition, and medical supplies.

He emphasised that the intervention goes beyond emergency relief. He described it as “a deliberate effort to protect lives, restore dignity, and lay the foundation for resilience, local food production, and self-reliance.”

The permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, described the event as “a significant milestone in the collective fight against hunger and malnutrition.”

Also speaking, Borno State Acting Governor, Dr Umar Usman, said the support was “timely and critical to easing the suffering of displaced persons and vulnerable families impacted by conflict and economic hardship.”

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