Four organisations have formed a strategic alliance aimed at tackling food insecurity, farmer-herder conflicts and economic challenges across Nigeria and the wider Sahel region through sustainable agriculture, peacebuilding and community development initiatives.
The partnership, involving WANILTU Academy, the National Association of Farmers in Nigeria (NADFAN), LAS Family Network Nigeria and Paradigm News, was announced in a joint statement by the participating organisations.
According to the partners, the collaboration seeks to harness their collective expertise and networks to boost agricultural productivity, improve livelihoods, strengthen social cohesion and expand economic opportunities for vulnerable communities.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over the impact of climate change, insecurity, displacement, unemployment and declining agricultural output in many parts of Nigeria and the Sahel, factors that have contributed to rising poverty levels and food shortages.
Under the arrangement, WANILTU Academy will lead capacity-building programmes for farmers, pastoralists, women and youths. The academy is expected to provide training in agribusiness development, value-chain management, entrepreneurship, livestock production and self-reliance skills, while deploying experts to underserved communities to support productivity and social cohesion efforts.
The National Association of Farmers in Nigeria (NADFAN), led by Nuruddeen Nyako, will serve as the primary coordinating platform for farmers and agricultural stakeholders. The association will mobilise farming communities, facilitate engagement with government agencies and development partners, promote sustainable agricultural practices and assist farmers in accessing funding opportunities.
LAS Family Network Nigeria, under the leadership of Sani Jada, will function as the strategic coordinating institution for the partnership. The organisation will engage traditional rulers, religious leaders, academic institutions, development agencies and community stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
In addition, the network will coordinate activities across Nigeria and the Sahel region, foster collaboration among partners and support the development of strategic alliances required to sustain the initiative over the long term.
On the communications front, Paradigm News, led by Raymond Enoch, will manage media engagement and public awareness campaigns. These efforts will include news coverage, documentaries, radio and television programmes, advocacy campaigns and digital outreach initiatives aimed at showcasing the impact of the partnership and highlighting success stories from participating communities.
The partners stated that the collaboration is founded on the belief that sustainable development and lasting peace can only be achieved through collective action that empowers communities, strengthens relationships between farmers and pastoralists, and broadens access to education, skills, information and economic opportunities.
As part of its implementation strategy, the alliance plans to organise training workshops, agricultural exhibitions, stakeholder conferences, entrepreneurship programmes, community peace dialogues, development forums and town hall meetings.
The initiative will place particular emphasis on climate-smart agriculture, conflict prevention and resolution, youth engagement, women’s empowerment and community resilience.
According to the partners, expected outcomes include improved cooperation between farmers and herders, increased agricultural productivity, expanded participation in agribusiness, enhanced livelihoods and stronger resilience to economic and environmental shocks.
They expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute to reducing conflicts that have impeded development in many communities while serving as a bridge between rural populations, governments, development institutions, investors and private-sector stakeholders.
The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, food security, economic empowerment and sustainable development across Nigeria and the Sahel, describing the partnership as a practical response to some of the region’s most pressing socio-economic and security challenges.
