How To Apply For LIFE-ND Programme for Women and Youths in the Niger Delta

Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project (LIFE-ND) is a project introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) for the Niger Delta, designed in collaboration with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

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The LIFE-ND project will run for six years with a loan of ten million dollars per state — which would help an estimated four thousand small holder farmers benefit from the programme in the state. LIFE-ND programme is basically to promote agriculture businesses for the youths.

Development Objective Of The LIFE-ND

The overall goal of LIFE-ND is to realize a transformed rural economy in which the
rural population can derive prosperity and equal benefit. The project development
objective is to enhance income, food security and job creation for rural youth and
women through agri- enterprise development on a sustainable basis in the Niger
Delta region of Nigeria.

Nine Participating States

Below are the nine Participating States.

IFAD States: Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo & Ondo
NDDC States: Akwa Ibom, Imo & Rivers

Target Beneficiaries Of The LIFE-ND program

LIFE-ND will primarily target 38,250 (LIFE-ND – 25,500 + NDDC – 12,750) youth and women beneficiaries as Incubatees (Trainees) that will come out of the Incubation System with their own profitable enterprises; 26,775(70%) smallholder farmers and 11,475 (30%) processors/marketers, and eventually serve as Incubators themselves. It will also target about 900 (LIFE-ND – 600 + NDDC – 300) established and potential enterprise Incubators as a pathway for job creation and economic empowerment of the beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries will be youth aged 18 to 35 years and women headed households with children under the age of 15. Overall, 19,125 male youth (50%) and 19,125 women (50%) [female youth 60% (11,475) and women headed households 40% (7,650)].