Abuja: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has announced the successful creation of 24,000 youth-led agribusinesses in the Niger Delta region. This initiative was achieved under the Federal Government/IFAD Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) program.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, shared this development during a meeting focused on Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship in Nigeria for Food Systems Transformation, held in Abuja. The event was organized in collaboration with the Federal Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the LIFE-ND program.
Ekoue emphasized that the accomplishment was a result of structured apprenticeship, mentorship, and innovative support targeted at young people and women. The Federal Government has been proactive in addressing the necessity of youth agri-entrepreneurship by expanding the financing of the FGN/IFAD/NDDC-LIFE-ND program.
The recent launch of Nigeria’s Youth Mapping Report, preceding the 2nd United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4), underscored the contributions and innovations of over 6,000 young individuals within the food system. The report highlighted various aspects of the food system, from production and processing to climate-smart agriculture and digital technology.
Ekoue pointed out that more than half of the surveyed youth are involved in agribusinesses, yet they encounter hurdles such as land access, financing, and market entry. In response to these challenges, the Federal Government is focusing on public-private partnerships and targeted investments in agro-entrepreneurship, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Agriculture Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).
The LIFE-ND programme is based on five pillars: incubation, public-private producer partnerships, digital integration, inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and sustainability. This project operates across multiple value chains, including crop production, livestock, aquaculture, and agro-processing, with support from the Federal Government, NDDC, and state governments.
Ekoue reiterated the commitment to expand youth agro-entrepreneurship through the LIFE-ND program and other investment initiatives like the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones and the Value Chain Development Programme. This dedication is part of the Agribusiness Hubs Programme, financed by grants.
During the meeting, deliberations focused on scaling up the successful LIFE-ND model for youth-driven transformation of the agrifood system. Ekoue described the forum as an opportunity to harness LIFE-ND’s experience, which integrates practical agri-entrepreneurship skills, finance, technology, and infrastructure to ensure youth leadership achieves significant results.
Stakeholders were encouraged to invest more in youth entrepreneurship, capacity building in agro-entrepreneurship, and promoting inclusion of youth and women. These efforts aim to expand the LIFE-ND program and its model throughout the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
Ekoue concluded by urging stakeholders to channel the energy and innovation of youth agripreneurs as a driving force to build productive, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems in Nigeria.