LIFE-ND project: Tackling Poverty, Hunger Through Agribusiness
Monitoring of seed capital distribution at Ata Obio Akpa (AKSU)
by Anietie Ammah
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with state governments and donor agencies, continues to play a vital role in driving economic growth by financing poverty reduction and development initiatives across various sectors such as agriculture, rural development, and health all geared towards improving living standards. One of such transformative initiatives is the FGN/IFAD/NDDC assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project. Sponsored by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and participating State governments. The LIFE-ND project covers the nine (9) Niger Delta States: Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Abia, and Cross River.
Input distribution at Ukat Nsit, community
A Vision for Transformation of the Rural Economy
Officially launched on September 13, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the LIFE-ND project development objective is enhancing income, food security, and job creation for rural youths and women in the Niger Delta region on a sustainable basis through agri-business development. Planned to run for six years, the project targets the training of 4,250 incubatees (trainees) and 100 incubators (trainers/mentors) across four (4) agricultural commodities of aquaculture, cassava, oil palm, poultry, and its value chains of production, processing and marketing.
The initiative focuses on marginalized and economically disadvantaged groups, specifically: Youth (aged 18–35 years), Women-headed households (with first child aged, less than 15 years), and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) using the Incubation Model.
The Incubation Model is borrowed from the Eastern part of Nigeria practiced by the Igbos, where an established Entrepreneur mentors a relative/apprentice for a couple of years as agreed by both parties and thereafter he or she is empowered to start up same business and the cycle continues. The trainers are referred to as Incubators and trainees, Incubatees. In Akwa Ibom State, LIFE-ND project operates in 10 selected LGAs namely - Ini, Mbo, Etim Ekpo, Nsit Ubium, Oruk Anam, Ibiono Ibom, Essien Udim, Onna, Ibesikpo Asutan, and Mkpat Enin. For the pilot phase of the project 10 communities are selected from each LGA to 100 communities to be impacted by the project.
Progress and Implementation
Beneficiary selection followed a transparent process that began with pre-sensitization of the community stakeholders - engagement of Village Heads, council and youth leadership, public announcements by town criers for community sensitization. Interested participants were then profiled, screened and selected as Incubatees or Incubators.
Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture
In the first phase, 350 incubates and 32 incubators/incubation centers were selected across 7 LGAs and 31 communities. After completing their apprenticeship and mentorship sessions, participants received empowerment packages such as: Cassava stems, fertilizers, fish juveniles, point-of-lay chickens Feeds, smoking kilns, agricultural chemicals, poultry and fish feeds, cash components for land clearing, drugs for birds etc. They were also provided with tools, stipends, seed capital, and working capital to establish and grow their agribusinesses. During the period of post-training, incubators continue to mentor their trainees through structured follow-up mechanisms to ensure enterprise sustainability. To ensure accountability, officials from NDDC, the National Project Co-ordinating Office, State Project Co-ordinating Office and Local Government Desk Officers regularly monitor the incubation centers, reviewing logbooks, training manuals and compliance with project guidelines.
Input distribution at Ikot Ekpene Udo
Ongoing Phases and Expansion
The second phase of the LIFE-ND project has recorded commendable progress. 50 incubators have been selected across 9 LGAs, engaging 500 incubatees currently undergoing training. Upon completion, they will receive empowerment packages similar to those in the first phase.
Recently, the third batch of beneficiaries began their Orientation Training from October 28th- November 1, 2025. Under this batch 570 Incubatees and 56 incubators are involved. Participants will undergo the same structured training and empowerment process before launching their enterprises.
Government and Stakeholder Support
Fielding questions from journalists, on 29th October, 2025, during the flag-off of the third batch of LIFE-ND project in Uyo, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. (Mrs.) Offiong Offor, described the programme as a complement to the ARISE Agenda, emphasizing its role in boosting food production, reducing youth restiveness, and improving livelihoods.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Atim Okoko, the Commissioner appreciated Governor Umo Eno for approving and supporting the project, highlighting his strong commitment to agricultural development.
She urged beneficiaries to take the training seriously to achieve the project’s objectives.
Addressing the participants, National Project Coordinator, Engr. (Dr.) Abiodun Sanni, represented by Assistant Agribusiness National Project Co-ordinating Officer, Oluwabunmi Awoniyi, reaffirmed the project’s goal of empowering vulnerable populations and improving livelihoods.
He urged incubators to ensure effective training and mentorship of their incubates, stressing that non-performing centers would be blacklisted according to project guidelines.
In his remarks, State Project Coordinator, Mr. Solomon Joe, stated that the first phase was successfully implemented, with participants trained and empowered to begin their enterprises.
He noted that the second batch is currently in training, while the third batch has commenced orientation and will be equally trained for empowerment upon completion of the process.
Baring his mind on the project, the representative of Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr. Nobert Brown affirmed the steady progress of the LIFE-ND Project, which is ongoing in the South-South region of the country, saying the partners are committed to improving livelihoods of the rural people.
The orientation session featured expert presentations on Incubation models, gender and youth inclusion, financial literacy, nutrition, environmental sustainability, record keeping, and business planning. Each participant also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to discipline and professionalism throughout the training process.
A Model for Sustainable Empowerment
The LIFE-ND project draws inspiration from the traditional Igbo apprenticeship system, where an apprentice learns a trade under mentorship and, upon completion, is settled to start their enterprise. This model has proven to be one of the most sustainable pathways for wealth creation and economic empowerment in the South East region of Nigeria, hence it adoption for the project.
With continuous support from the government and development partners, the LIFE-ND project is poised to record remarkable success, transforming lives, strengthening rural economies, and promoting sustainable agribusiness development across the region.
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