The National Project Coordinator of the FGN/NDDC/IFAD Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises–Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project has outlined the programme’s strategic priorities for 2026, placing strong emphasis on inclusion, access to finance, climate resilience and value chain expansion across the Niger Delta.
In a New Year message, the Coordinator acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders, partners, incubators, incubatees, host communities and government agencies, noting that their collective efforts have driven the project’s growing impact on agribusiness development in the region.
He expressed optimism that 2026 would further strengthen opportunities for smallholder farmers, youth and women-led enterprises.
Reviewing progress in the outgoing year, the project recorded expanded training and mentorship for emerging agripreneurs, with deliberate targeting of youth, women and Persons with Disability (PwDs).
LIFE-ND also implemented scalable value chain interventions aimed at improving production, quality, market access and financial inclusion, helping stabilise incomes for small businesses and previously unemployed or underemployed youths and women.
Read also:
- NASENI innovation signals new business opportunities
- YMR fuels youth MSMEs nationwide with ₦24m growth grants
- Nigeria positions economy as SME gateway for Europe Africa trade
- Tax reforms committee engages Ombud to protect SMEs
- Cashew sector could unlock $10bn SME opportunity
For 2026, the project plans to scale up its incubation model by strengthening business development services, hands-on training and market-driven curricula covering business planning, financial literacy, packaging, branding and digital marketing.
Other priorities include improved access to finance, warehouse and cold-chain logistics, collective marketing systems, and the adoption of climate-smart agriculture, agroecology and digital decision-support tools.
The Coordinator reaffirmed LIFE-ND’s long-term commitment to transforming the rural economy of the Niger Delta through inclusive agribusiness growth, job creation and food security.
He added that enhanced digital platforms, market linkage events and expanded processing centres will help connect small producers to national and international buyers, while stronger monitoring systems will support evidence-based policy engagement.
The LIFE-ND Project operates in nine states—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers—and has exceeded its initial target by reaching 26,470 beneficiaries between 2019 and 2025. A new three-year additional financing phase began on April 1, 2025, to deepen impact among youth- and women-led agribusinesses across the Niger Delta.
