Livelihood support
A World Bank report (March 2022) stated that sluggish growth, low human capital, labour market weaknesses, and exposure to shocks are holding Nigeria’s poverty reduction back. As many as 4 in 10 Nigerians live below the national poverty line. Many Nigerians lack access to basic education and infrastructure, such as electricity, safe drinking water, and improved sanitation. Unemployment rate is high. Effects of climate change such as flooding has destroyed homes, farmlands, and roads. Conflicts between farmers and herders are multiplying. Extension services for farmers are near non-existence; and access to farm inputs and farm credits are not readily available.
As a result of high-rate of unemployment, a great number of young people now get themselves engaged in criminal activities. Robbery, kidnapping, vandalisation of oil pipelines and oil bunkering are on the rise. A Get-rich-quick attitude has pervaded the society and people are lured by various Ponzi schemes and lotteries. Prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, rape and child abuse cases are on the increase. There is an exodus of Nigerians migrating to foreign countries where many people, including children, have lost their lives in search of greener pastures.
There is a great need for agro-entrepreneurship knowledge and skill development, and a need to strengthen and improve the various agricultural value chains in order to fully exploit the benefits of the enterprises.