The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has inaugurated the Livelihood Empowerment Initiative (LEI), a project aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism by empowering 20,000 vulnerable Nigerian youth and women.

The national coordinator of NCTC, Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), Adamu Laka, while unveiling the programme on Thursday in Abuja, said it would improve community resilience and reduce vulnerability to extremist recruitment.

The initiative was unveiled in collaboration with Giving to the Needy Mission International (GINMI).

Mr Laka, represented by Abimbola Wonosikou, a director at NCTC/ONSA, said the scheme focused on agricultural value chains, providing skills and capacity-building, start-up resources, and market linkages for beneficiaries.

He stated that the initiative addresses the underlying drivers of instability by providing skills, resources, and market linkages in agricultural value chains.

“The project is a strategic security intervention, replacing vulnerability with capability and despair with a career, aligning with Nigeria’s Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism framework.

“The initiative is expected to drive security and stability in Nigeria, reducing recruitment risks and promoting economic resilience,” he said.

He commended GINMI for conceptualising the initiative, reflecting a deep understanding of development and security dynamics.

“The project aligns with Nigeria’s Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism framework, addressing structural drivers of radicalisation, promoting economic inclusion, and strengthening community-based prevention mechanisms.

“The NCTC aims to improve community resilience and reduce vulnerability to extremist recruitment, supporting at-risk populations, especially youth and women.

“The initiative is a ‘soft-approach’ strategy to counter terrorism, focusing on human security and community-based prevention mechanisms,” he said.

According to him, the initiative highlights the importance of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to national security, with sustainable peace built on human security.

He urged strategic partners, development agencies, and stakeholders to support the initiative’s implementation.

The board chairman of GINMI, Reuben Egwu, stated that the initiative will address the economic drivers of insecurity in Nigeria, replacing vulnerability with capability and despair with a career.

“The LEI is a proactive, non-kinetic security strategy that addresses economic hardship, a significant driver of insecurity, by empowering youth and women through agriculture.

“The project targets 10,000 vulnerable youth and women across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory, providing intensive training in best agronomic practices and start-up grants.

“The initiative focuses on value chains, including cassava processing, rice and maize cultivation, poultry rearing, and fish farming, guaranteeing market access and eliminating post-harvest losses,” he said.

According to him, the implementation will be structured in close coordination with the ONSA and will be phased across the target states.

He said the initiative aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goals, targeting poverty eradication and zero hunger, and promoting gender equality and decent work.

“GINMI seeks partnership and funding from the private sector, diplomatic corps, and international community to scale the intervention.

“The initiative is expected to create 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, boosting household incomes and contributing to the national economy.”

The Borno commissioner for information and internal security, Usman Tar, lauded the scheme and pledged the state’s support for its implementation.

Others who also pledged support for the initiative were Dayo Benjamin-Laniyi, mandate secretary, Women Affairs, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Abisayo Akinadeju of Project One.

Also, Amadu Ibe, executive director of the Women and Child Care Foundation, and Iyke Ezeugo of the DoGood Foundation for the Needy, U.S., commended the initiative.

The event was attended by stakeholders, development partners, and representatives of civil society organisations.

(NAN)