Posted by Niger Delta Youth Council
NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to transforming the Niger Delta by creating sustainable jobs and economic opportunities for young people through agripreneurship and civic empowerment initiatives.
Speaking at the one-day workshop on Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation, held at the Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, Dr. Ogbuku highlighted the Commission’s plan to expand the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises–Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project. The initiative aims to create over 38,250 new agricultural entrepreneurs, targeting young people across the region and equipping them with the tools to establish profitable agribusinesses.
Under Dr. Ogbuku’s visionary leadership, the NDDC is focusing on practical skills development, access to finance, and the integration of modern technology into agriculture. By doing so, the Commission is tackling unemployment head-on while simultaneously stimulating local economies and strengthening food security.
“We are not just building farms; we are building futures. Every young person trained through LIFE-ND is a potential employer, a contributor to food security, and a driver of economic growth,” Dr. Ogbuku said. He emphasized that the program transforms the Niger Delta’s agricultural challenges—such as fragmented value chains, limited access to finance, and an ageing farming population—into opportunities for youth-led innovation and economic empowerment.
Dr. Ogbuku also highlighted the Commission’s support for Project New Nigeria, a civic education initiative designed to foster democratic participation and leadership among young people. By combining agripreneurship with civic engagement, he stressed the importance of producing a generation of youths who are economically independent and socially responsible, capable of contributing positively to both their communities and the nation at large.
Officials at the workshop, including the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, lauded the NDDC under Dr. Ogbuku’s stewardship for linking youth employment with sustainable development. They noted that initiatives like LIFE-ND provide tangible pathways for young people to generate income, acquire business skills, and emerge as community leaders.
Through these strategic interventions, Dr. Ogbuku is positioning the NDDC as a catalyst for employment, prosperity, and inclusive growth in the Niger Delta. By placing youth at the heart of the Commission’s development agenda, he is ensuring that young people not only benefit from these programs but also become active participants in shaping the region’s socio-economic transformation.
Under his leadership, the NDDC continues to demonstrate that empowering the youth is the most effective strategy for fostering lasting development, stability, and prosperity across the Niger Delta.