From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to strengthen and expand the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project to create over 38,250 new entrepreneurs and boost participation across key agricultural value chains.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, gave the assurance during a one-day workshop on Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation at the Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
The workshop, hosted by the LIFE-ND project, focused on the theme: “Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship in Nigeria for Food Systems Transformation.”
Ogbuku, who was represented by the Acting Director of the NDDC Liaison Office in Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke, highlighted the immense agricultural potential of the Niger Delta and Nigeria, while also acknowledging the challenges of food inflation, fragmented value chains, ageing farming populations, climate-related vulnerabilities, and limited access to finance and modern technologies.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer noted that these challenges presented opportunities to nurture a new generation of agripreneurs capable of revitalising rural economies and transforming Nigeria’s food systems.
He reaffirmed NDDC’s commitment in partnering with all stakeholders to create an enabling environment where youth-led agribusiness can thrive.
According to him, “We are not just building farms; we are building futures. We are not just cultivating crops; we are cultivating prosperity.”
Ogbuku, reiterated the Commission’s strong commitment to scaling up the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project, describing it as a transformative platform capable of unlocking economic opportunities for thousands of young people across the region.
He observed that the NDDC’s US$30 million counterpart funding underscores the Commission’s unwavering support for youth agripreneurship as a strategic tool for promoting peace, stability, and economic growth in the Niger Delta.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening food security nationwide.
He urged stakeholders to deepen collaborations with government and development partners to ensure a stable and effective food supply system across the country.
In his remarks, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, expressed appreciation to the NDDC, LIFE-ND, and other stakeholders for supporting government initiatives aimed at achieving national food security.
The Minister commended the National Project Coordinator of the LIFE-ND project for his dedication to ensuring the programme’s sustainability.
