The Federal Government–International Fund for Agricultural Development Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta programme has announced plans to support end-to-end agribusiness value-chain development in 2026, covering production, processing, packaging and export readiness across key commodities in the region.
The National Project Coordinator of the FG/NDDC/IFAD-LIFE-ND programme, Dr Abiodun Sanni, gave the assurance in Abuja during New Year commemorations, reiterating the project’s commitment to rural economic transformation, inclusive agripreneurship and sustainable livelihoods in the Niger Delta.
Sanni said the programme’s vision for 2026 is to transform the rural economy by ensuring prosperity and equitable benefits for rural populations through sustainable agribusiness, value addition and market-driven enterprise development. According to him, LIFE-ND will continue creating an enabling environment for innovative agripreneurs and project beneficiaries, supporting initiatives that enhance food security while driving inclusive economic growth.
He explained that strategic priorities for 2026 include scaling up the incubation model, strengthening business development services and improving access to finance, storage facilities, warm and cold chain logistics and collective marketing platforms. Expanded hands-on training programmes, he said, will equip incubatees, incubators and mentorship networks with practical, market-oriented skills in business planning, financial literacy, packaging, branding and digital marketing to boost productivity and commercial viability.
The LIFE-ND coordinator emphasized the promotion of community-led cooperatives and farmer-driven enterprises, alongside stronger partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry players and financial institutions to enhance accountability, mobilize resources and ensure long-term sustainability of the program.
Sanni said scalable value-chain initiatives implemented in 2025 delivered measurable gains, including increased production, improved product quality, expanded market access and stronger financial inclusion. He noted that these outcomes helped stabilise incomes and create opportunities for unemployed and underemployed youths, women and smallholder farmers across the Niger Delta.
He added that the programme accelerated the adoption of sustainable farming practices, gender-responsive agripreneurship, climate-resilient agriculture and smart agronomy tools, strengthening the resilience, competitiveness and productivity of rural enterprises.
Looking ahead, Sanni assured stakeholders that additional incubatee training hubs and processing centres will be established to accelerate value addition across commodity lines. He said these efforts will be supported by an enhanced monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress, strengthen accountability and inform evidence-based policymaking.
He commended implementing partners, including the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Niger Delta Development Commission, IFAD and other partner institutions, as well as incubators and incubatees, describing their contributions as central to the programme’s success. He urged all stakeholders to remain collaborative and committed to sustaining momentum towards inclusive and sustainable growth in 2026.
Sanni also expressed appreciation to incubatees, producers, processors, marketers, extension agents, financial partners and policy advocates for their dedication to innovation and resilience in 2025.
He concluded by extending New Year wishes to all stakeholders and communities involved in the programme, expressing optimism for a year marked by productivity, sustainability and inclusive economic growth across the Niger Delta.
