The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has launched an agribusiness initiative aimed at promoting economic empowerment in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria.
The project, named “Seeds for Hope,” focuses on supporting former combatants and vulnerable communities, particularly those impacted by terrorism and insurgency.
The initiative, which was introduced at a recent gathering in Abuja attended by key donors and stakeholders, is being implemented in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Its main goal is to promote peace and stability by providing long-term, non-violent solutions to the challenges posed by terrorism.
Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, highlighted that the project represents an important shift towards non-kinetic approaches to counter-terrorism.
He emphasized that peace and security cannot be achieved solely through military means and that addressing the economic needs of individuals is essential to prevent the recurrence of violent extremism.
The initiative will offer beneficiaries such as ex-combatants from the federal government’s Disarmament, Deradicalization and Reintegration (DDR) program, widows and other vulnerable individuals, access to agricultural resources including farmland, technical training, mentorship and market connections.
Laka also pointed out that the project builds on the success of Operation Safe Corridor, which has successfully rehabilitated over 2,600 ex-combatants so far.
Despite progress in reintegration, Laka acknowledged the difficulty in ensuring lasting change.
He stressed that without viable economic opportunities, former militants are at risk of returning to extremist groups.
He also referred to World Bank data, which suggests that growth in agriculture has a more significant impact on poverty reduction than growth in other sectors, making it a central element of the initiative.
Six Nigerian states have expressed interest in hosting the pilot phase of the program.
The NCTC and IITA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May to formalize the partnership. Laka called for increased support from donors and other stakeholders to expand the initiative across the country and potentially beyond Nigeria’s borders.
During the event, Sadiq Tafida, Chairman of the House Committee on Peace Building and Social Cohesion, assured the National Assembly’s full support for the program.
He praised the partnership between NCTC and IITA, recognizing that the socioeconomic factors contributing to insecurity and extremism must be addressed alongside security efforts.
Tafida also emphasized the importance of agribusiness in converting conflict zones into areas of stability and opportunity.
He called for a collective effort to confront violent extremism, urging donors and development agencies to lend their support.
Abdoulaye Tahirau, Deputy Director-General of IITA, explained that the Seeds for Hope initiative aims to create a lasting impact on communities by introducing high-quality agricultural inputs, training farmers, and building resilient value chains.
