The Edo State Government has allocated N1.6 billion as counterpart funding for the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Plus programme, a move set to generate over 2,000 jobs and strengthen the agricultural sector.
Edo State Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Mr. John Omoruyi, highlighted the initiative’s impact while addressing journalists in Benin on Tuesday.
He applauded Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to agriculture, particularly the N70 billion earmarked for the sector in the 2025 budget, which he described as a game-changer for rural development and poverty reduction.
LIFE-ND, co-funded by the Federal Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), operates across nine Niger Delta states to boost agri-business and empower communities.
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The programme follows an incubation model inspired by the Igbo apprenticeship system, equipping youths and women (18-35 years) with skills to establish their own agribusinesses.
With the new funding, all 18 local governments in Edo will benefit from the initiative, expanding beyond the current 10 LGAs. The initiative is expected to enhance food security, increase household incomes, and transform rural economies across the state.
