One Hundred Abia Agribusiness Trainees Receive Startup Capital Through Niger Delta Empowerment Project

The LIFE-ND project disburses startup capital to 100 Abia women and youths to boost poultry, rice, and cassava production across the Niger Delta region.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 8:34 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Capital Injection for Rural Entrepreneurs

The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has officially begun distributing cash components of its empowerment package to agribusiness graduates in Abia State. During a ceremony held in Umuahia on April 23, 2026, one hundred beneficiaries received individual cheques of 472,000 naira to serve as startup capital. These individuals comprise the first batch of 276 selected participants who have completed intensive vocational training at various incubation centers, specifically focusing on the processing and marketing sectors of the agricultural industry.

Strategic Expansion of Value Chains

State Project Coordinator Uchenna Onyeizu announced that the current graduation is part of a broader strategy to empower a total of 608 beneficiaries within the 2025 incubation cycle. While the initial group focused on processing, an additional 332 individuals engaged in production will soon receive support through agricultural inputs. The project covers essential value chains including rice, poultry, cassava, and fishery, aiming to transform the rural economy by equipping young people and women headed households with the financial means to scale their operations.

Collaborative Funding and Governance

LIFE-ND operates as a high level partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Since its establishment in 2021, the project has reached over 4,379 beneficiaries across 100 communities in Abia State. Onyeizu credited the successful implementation of the program to the enabling environment fostered by Governor Alex Otti, whose administration has emphasized agriculture as a primary pathway for sustainable wealth creation.