FG backs livelihood programme to tackle root causes of violent extremism

The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC-ONSA) has reinforced its commitment to non-military approaches in addressing insecurity, throwing its weight behind a new livelihood empowerment initiative aimed at vulnerable youth and women across Nigeria.

The programme, titled Livelihood Empowerment Initiative for Vulnerable Youth and Women: Pathways to Preventing Violent Extremism in Nigeria, was officially launched on Wednesday in Abuja, signalling what was described as a strategic shift towards tackling the socio-economic drivers of extremism.

Speaking at the event, Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of NCTC, represented by Abimbola Wonosikou, Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), said the initiative goes beyond a conventional development intervention and should be seen as a critical component of Nigeria’s national security strategy.

According to him, the programme reflects growing recognition that sustainable peace cannot be achieved through kinetic operations alone, but must address underlying conditions such as poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion, which often make communities vulnerable to recruitment by extremist and criminal groups.

“Nigeria is currently facing a dangerous convergence of economic hardship and insecurity in many communities, resulting in displacement, fear, and limited access to economic opportunities,” he said.

“These conditions create fertile ground for exploitation. By implementing this initiative, we are not just providing livelihoods, we are de-risking the future of vulnerable populations, replacing vulnerability with capability and despair with opportunity.”

The Centre noted that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader framework on preventing and countering violent extremism, particularly in addressing structural drivers of radicalisation, promoting economic inclusion, and strengthening community-based prevention mechanisms.

Laka emphasised that the NCTC continues to champion a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to security, stressing that lasting peace is only achievable when human security and economic stability are prioritised alongside military efforts.

A key component of the programme is its focus on agricultural value chains, seen as a major pillar of Nigeria’s economy and a reliable source of sustainable livelihoods.

The initiative integrates skills acquisition, capacity building, start-up support, and guaranteed market linkages to ensure long-term economic self-reliance for beneficiaries.

The project is expected to empower no fewer than 10,000 vulnerable youth and women with income-generating opportunities, a target officials say will strengthen community resilience and reduce susceptibility to extremist recruitment.

The NCTC also commended Giving to the Needy Mission International for conceptualising the initiative, describing it as a forward-looking intervention that underscores the link between development and security.

In his remarks, Iyke Ezeugo, Chief Operating Officer of the DoGood Foundation for the Needy, Inc., who represented Iheanyichukwu Sunday, the organisation’s Founder and CEO, lauded the NCTC for driving the initiative and emphasised the importance of preventive approaches in countering extremism.

He noted that while military responses remain necessary, addressing poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation is crucial to eliminating the recruitment base of extremist groups.

“Empowering vulnerable populations with practical skills and enterprise support should be seen as a national security priority, not just an economic intervention,” he said, adding that grassroots investments in livelihoods can significantly strengthen community resilience.

Also speaking, Reuben Egwu, Chairman of Giving to the Needies Mission International (GINMI), described the programme as a strategic non-kinetic response designed to tackle the economic vulnerabilities that fuel insecurity.

He disclosed that the three-year initiative, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2028, will target 10,000 beneficiaries across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with interventions spanning cassava processing, rice and maize cultivation, poultry farming, and aquaculture.

According to him, the programme is expected to generate up to 20,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide through a phased rollout implemented in coordination with the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Egwu added that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader peacebuilding objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals, while calling on development partners, private sector players, and financial institutions to provide technical and financial support to scale its impact.

Stakeholders at the launch stressed that government efforts alone would not be sufficient to address the complex drivers of violent extremism, urging stronger collaboration across sectors.

The NCTC pledged to continue supporting innovative, community-focused interventions aimed at building resilience and addressing the root causes of violent extremism across Nigeria.