The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish farming clusters for displaced persons across Nigeria.
The partnership, under the Renewed Hope Restoration Project, was formalized in Abuja on Wednesday. It aims to create sustainable settlements for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and migrants in select states, including Oyo, Katsina, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Abia, and Cross River.
Covering land areas of 1,000 to 2,000 hectares, the initiative seeks to integrate displaced individuals into agricultural activities, providing resources for self-reliance and enhancing the nation’s food security.
Speaking at the event, NALDA Executive Secretary, Cornelius Adebayo, described the partnership as a critical step toward addressing the challenges faced by IDPs and refugees.
He highlighted the project’s focus on empowering communities through vocational training, modern farming techniques, infrastructural development, and market linkages.
“This initiative is a testament to the Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to transforming challenges into opportunities,” Adebayo said.
“It will break the cycle of dependence and integrate refugees and IDPs into the agricultural value chain, contributing significantly to national food security.”
Federal Commissioner Tijani Ahmed of NCFRMI emphasized the project’s potential to provide durable solutions for Nigeria’s 2.5 million IDPs and 35,000 refugees.
He underscored the collaboration’s goal of fostering economic independence and improving livelihoods through farming cluster projects.
“This partnership represents a shift from giving handouts to empowering displaced persons to rebuild their lives sustainably,” Ahmed stated.
“It aligns with the National Action Plan on Durable Solutions, promoting financial empowerment, poverty alleviation, and economic reliability for IDPs.”