The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has launched a major agri-business and livelihood empowerment initiative targeted
By Sumaila Ogbaje
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has launched a major agri-business and livelihood empowerment initiative targeted at former combatants and conflict-affected communities in Nigeria.
The initiative, announced in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), was announced at a high-level donors and stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said the programme was to strengthen Nigeria’s non-kinetic counter-terrorism approach by promoting peacebuilding through economic inclusion.
Laka said that the centre is committed to “a whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach to addressing the root causes of violent extremism.
He explained that the collaboration with IITA was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on May 20, adding that six states had so far indicated interest in hosting the project.
According to him, sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved through kinetic response alone.
He said “strategies that empower individuals and restore livelihoods are essential to building lasting peace and preventing the resurgence of extremist ideologies.
“The new project will provide access to land, inputs, training, mentorship and market linkages for former clients of Federal Government’s disarmament, deradicalisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme, as well as widows and members of conflict-affected communities.”
Laka said the initiative would be built on the success of Operation Safe Corridor, which according to him, has graduated more than 2,600 low-risk former combatants through rehabilitation in Mallam Sidi Camp in Gombe State.
He added that the programme offered psychosocial support, vocational training and reintegration assistance.
“Currently, more than 300 clients are undergoing rehabilitation and increasing number of terrorists and bandits in the North-West and North-Central regions are expressing willingness to surrender,” he said.
The NCTC boss, however, stressed the need for sustainable economic reintegration to avoid reversal of gains made through the DDR programmes.
He cited World Bank data indicating that growth in the agriculture sector is at least twice as effective in reducing poverty as growth in other sectors.
“Agribusiness presents an ideal platform for skill development, income generation and community stability in post-conflict settings,” he said.
He called for increased donor funding and multisectoral collaboration to implement the initiative on a national scale.
He said “this stakeholders’ meeting provides platform to share our vision, present our strategy and explore partnership pathways. With your support, this initiative can become a model for regional replication.”
He thanked the IITA and other stakeholders for their commitment and support, expressing hope that the initiative would promote lasting peace and resilience across the country.
Mr Sadiq Tafida, the Chairman, House Committee on Peace Building and Social Cohesion, reiterated the support of the National Assembly (NASS) to agribusiness-based livelihood empowerment programme for former combatants and conflict-affected communities.
He described the partnership between NCTC and IITA as “a transformative step toward addressing the root causes of extremism and insecurity in Nigeria.
“This collaboration recognises a fundamental truth—that security is not achieved by military means alone, but also by addressing the socioeconomic vulnerabilities that extremists exploit.
“Through these efforts, we aim to create a pathway to dignity, self-reliance and hope.”
The lawmaker said building peace from the ground up through agribusiness and livelihood initiatives would help to convert former conflict zones into hubs of opportunities and stability.
Tafida also emphasised the importance of donor engagement, noting that no single institution could tackle violent extremism alone.
The Deputy Director-General of IITA, Dr Abdoulaye Tahirau, said that Seeds For Hope was more than a project, but a movement toward inclusive peace, resilience and dignity.
Tahirau explained that the initiative would introduce high-quality seeds, provide training for farmers and help to build resilient value chains, as well as promote inclusive participation of youth, women and other vulnerable groups.
He added that “at IITA, we believe agriculture is a powerful force for reconciliation, recovery and inclusive growth.
“This initiative will not only plant seeds in the soil but also sow hope, dignity and opportunities in the hearts of communities.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)