LIFE-ND Project: 21,000 Farmers Save $478m in Niger Delta
Overview of the LIFE-ND Project
The Federal Government’s Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises–Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project has made significant strides across the Niger Delta region, offering substantial benefits to farmers, youth, and women. Over 21,000 farmers have saved more than $478 million, while thousands of young agripreneurs and women have gained access to skills, finance, and technology-driven opportunities. These achievements were highlighted at the National Event on Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation, held in Abuja.
Key Achievements and Infrastructure Developments
The event brought together various stakeholders, including federal ministries, development partners, state governments, and private-sector actors, to discuss the project’s impact and plan for national expansion. An executive summary outlined large-scale infrastructure developments that are transforming rural livelihoods. This includes the construction of 130.77 km of access roads, six climate-resilient bridges, 71 culverts, and two jetties. Additionally, 82 solar-powered water schemes were established, and 5,305 hectares of farmland were developed. Market, processing, and storage facilities were also built, forming a comprehensive ecosystem that supports smallholder farmers and rural enterprises.
Financial Inclusion and Economic Growth
Financial inclusion is a core focus of the LIFE-ND project. Through partnerships with financial institutions and off-takers, the initiative facilitated $1.2 million in loans and credit for 18,668 beneficiaries. Over 22,981 individuals accessed insurance, remittances, and other services, many for the first time. More than 21,498 farmers collectively mobilized $478 million in savings, while mobile wallets and POS services integrated over 10,000 rural farmers into Nigeria’s formal financial system.
Enhancing Food Security and Nutrition
The project has also contributed to improved food security and community nutrition. Over 12,900 households received targeted nutritional support, including training on bio-fortified crops. LIFE-ND established 117 school agricultural programmes and nutrition clubs, engaging over 6,300 students. Additionally, 525 women gained new skills in cassava processing and value addition.
Climate Resilience and Digital Innovation
With climate change posing increasing risks to agriculture, LIFE-ND trained over 1,600 stakeholders on climate-smart practices. The project also planted 27,145 agroforestry and economic trees in 104 communities and promoted waste-to-wealth technologies such as biogas digesters. Digital transformation has also accelerated, with over 3,000 smallholder farmers using FarmerChat.AI for real-time digital advisory. More than 17,000 farmers receive market, climate, and nutrition information via SMS, and a new market information system provides weekly commodity price updates.
Training and Employment Opportunities
The project has trained 29,620 youths and women across priority value chains, including cassava, rice, aquaculture, poultry, horticulture, and oil palm. It has created 23,751 new jobs and increased household incomes by an average of 50 percent. Dr Abiodun Sanni, the LIFE-ND National Coordinator, outlined lessons learned, emphasizing the need to reposition agriculture as a business, deepen value chain integration, and expand digital tools. A bold strategy to scale the project nationwide was announced, including a proposed Youth Agripreneur Growth Fund, expanded public-private partnerships, and a national agripreneurship incubation framework across all 36 states and the FCT.
Stakeholder Support and Future Plans
IFAD Country Director, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, commended the Federal Government for expanding LIFE-ND, describing it as an internationally recognized model that has already supported nearly 24,000 youth-led agribusinesses. She called on stakeholders to close financing gaps, scale incubation and mentorship, eliminate barriers to land and market access, and prioritize youth and women inclusion.
Government Commitment and Policy Reforms
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, emphasized the importance of scaling up the project quickly, inclusively, and sustainably. He outlined several policy reforms aimed at ensuring the success and sustainability of youth-led agripreneurship, including a land access and tenure assistance program, an innovative fund/financing mechanism, and expanded business development services.
Conclusion and Vision
Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, described LIFE-ND as a national model of transformative agripreneurship and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to competitive, climate-smart, and youth-driven food systems. With continued efforts and collaboration, the project aims to transform Nigeria's food system and empower its youthful population as agripreneurs and wealth creators.
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