The Federal Government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has said its LIFE-ND project will support end-to-end value chain development from production to export readiness across the Niger Delta.
Dr. Abiodun Sanni, National Project Coordinator for the FG/NDDC/IFAD-LIFE-ND, made the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja during New Year commemorations, reiterating the project’s commitment to rural economic transformation and inclusive agripreneurship in the region.
“Our vision for 2026 is to transform the rural economy in the Niger Delta, ensuring prosperity and equitable benefits for the rural population through sustainable agribusiness and value addition across commodity lines,” he said.
Sanni explained that the project will create an enabling environment for innovative agripreneurs, supporting initiatives that contribute to food security while driving inclusive economic growth and improving livelihoods for local communities.
He highlighted strategic priorities for the year, including scaling up the incubation model, strengthening business development services, and improving access to finance, warehouse facilities, warm and cold chain logistics, and collective marketing opportunities.
“The project will promote sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices by encouraging agroecology, water-use efficiency, soil health, and reduced post-harvest losses, ensuring that production is environmentally sound and economically beneficial for smallholder farmers,” he said.
Sanni added that LIFE-ND will foster the adoption of climate-smart technologies, digital decision-support tools, and the inclusion of youth, women, and marginalized groups in leadership roles, ensuring equitable access to resources and agribusiness opportunities across the Niger Delta.
He further explained that expanded hands-on training programmes will provide incubatees, incubators, and mentorship networks with practical, market-driven curricula covering business planning, financial literacy, packaging, branding, and digital marketing to enhance productivity and commercial viability.
The coordinator emphasized promoting community-led cooperatives and farmer-led enterprises, strengthening partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, industry players, and financial institutions to ensure accountability, resource mobilization, and long-term sustainability.
Digital transformation remains central to the project, with plans to expand online marketplaces, e-extension services, and data-driven advisory systems to improve market access, traceability, product quality, and consumer confidence across the region.
Reflecting on 2025 achievements, Sanni noted that LIFE-ND expanded training and mentorship for emerging agripreneurs, focusing on youth, women, and persons with disabilities, building capacities for sustainable income generation and enterprise growth.
Scalable value chain initiatives implemented in 2025 improved production, enhanced product quality, widened market access, strengthened financial inclusion, and created income stability for unemployed and underemployed youths, women, and smallholder farmers across the Niger Delta.
Sanni also highlighted strengthened partnerships with public institutions, the private sector, and development partners, ensuring knowledge sharing, resource mobilization, and collaboration to enhance programme outcomes and support policy-driven rural development.
Looking ahead, the project’s 2026 plans include regional showcases and market linkages, connecting producers with national and international buyers, facilitating commercial exposure, and driving competitiveness for agripreneurs across value chains in the Niger Delta.
Sanni assured stakeholders of more incubatee training hubs and processing centres to accelerate value addition, supported by an enhanced monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and inform policymaking.
He expressed appreciation to every incubatee, incubator, producer, processor, marketer, extension agent, financial partner, and policy advocate who contributed to LIFE-ND’s success, emphasizing their dedication to innovation, resilience, and inclusive economic growth.
“To our implementing agencies, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, NDDC, IFAD, partner institutions, and resilient incubatees, your work is the heartbeat of this project. We must carry forward momentum toward sustainable growth in 2026,” Sanni said.
He urged all stakeholders to remain collaborative, steadfast, and committed to creating inclusive opportunities, ensuring the project continues transforming agribusiness prospects for rural populations, particularly youth and women, across the Niger Delta.
Sanni concluded by extending New Year wishes to all stakeholders, partners, incubators, incubatees, communities, government agencies, and team members at state and national levels, emphasizing prosperity, productivity, sustainability, and inclusive growth in the coming year.
