The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to agricultural development in the Niger Delta region through a partnership with the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) programme. Both organisations have recently stepped up monitoring and evaluation efforts, with a focus on agricultural transformation that empowers rural youth and women.
In a statement issued by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the Director of Corporate Affairs at NDDC, the commission revealed that joint inspection visits were carried out at various incubation centres in Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Rivers states. These centres are part of the LIFE-ND project, which is designed to improve rural livelihoods and increase food production through targeted support in agriculture.
The inspection team was led by Dr Winifred Madume, NDDC’s Director of Agriculture and Fisheries. Dr Madume explained that the visits were aimed at evaluating how well the programme is being implemented on the ground and identifying areas that may require further support or adjustments.
She stressed that NDDC is fully committed to its counterpart funding obligations and that agricultural transformation remains a core part of its mandate. According to her, the commission is aligning its efforts with national agricultural development goals to boost food production, reduce unemployment, and foster rural development.
“The NDDC is focused on transforming the Niger Delta into a food hub by unlocking rural economies and building a sustainable agricultural base,” Dr Madume said.
The LIFE-ND programme is a collaborative initiative involving the NDDC, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the state governments of the participating Niger Delta states. It is designed to empower young men and women in agriculture by offering training, funding, and practical incubation in areas such as poultry farming, fishery, and other agribusinesses.
During the inspection, the team met with several beneficiaries undergoing training at the centres. Many of the young agripreneurs expressed satisfaction with the quality of training, facilities, and the mentorship they are receiving. Some of them said the programme had already changed their lives by helping them to start or expand their businesses.
One of the programme beneficiaries in Imo State, 27-year-old Ijeoma Onyekwere, said, “Before this programme, I had no idea how to manage a poultry farm. Now, I’ve not only been trained but also given access to funding. I plan to start my own poultry business by the end of the year.”
Mr Abi Morris, Special Assistant to the NDDC Managing Director, who was also part of the inspection team, described the programme as “a clear example of development in action.” He said the LIFE-ND programme is not only equipping youth with the right tools to succeed in agribusiness but is also changing perceptions about farming.
“What we’re seeing here is not just training. It’s about economic empowerment, mindset change, and a new vision for the future of the Niger Delta,” Morris said.
The initiative has also been praised for contributing to food security in the region. With rising food prices and supply shortages in parts of the country, the LIFE-ND programme is seen as a strategic intervention that can reduce dependence on food imports and stabilise local markets.
Community leaders in the areas visited commended NDDC and its partners for focusing on agriculture as a tool for sustainable development. Many of them called for the expansion of the programme to reach more local government areas and include additional value chains such as cassava processing, vegetable farming, and crop preservation.
As part of its long-term strategy, NDDC has pledged to continue investing in agricultural training, funding, and infrastructure. Dr Madume noted that the commission’s rural development approach is designed to not only tackle unemployment but also reduce rural-urban migration by making farming more attractive and profitable.
The LIFE-ND programme, launched in 2019, has trained thousands of beneficiaries across multiple states and continues to grow its network of incubation centres and agribusiness hubs. With strong support from IFAD and other international partners, the programme is regarded as one of the most impactful rural empowerment schemes in the Niger Delta.
Through the ongoing partnership with LIFE-ND, NDDC says it will continue to promote agricultural innovation and ensure that the Niger Delta’s youth and women are at the centre of the region’s economic transformation.
