The Federal Government will on July 15 launch a $500 million Niger Delta Agricultural Investment Fund aimed at financing large-scale agricultural projects, attracting private investment and accelerating agribusiness development across the nine Niger Delta states.
The commercially managed fund will be unveiled during the maiden Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Summit in Abuja, jointly organised by the Office of the Vice President and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Vice President Kashim Shettima will chair the fund’s Board of Trustees.
Speaking at a press briefing at the State House, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking the agricultural potential of the Niger Delta and positioning the region as a major contributor to Nigeria’s food security and non-oil economy.
He said the summit would bring together about 500 participants, including investors, development finance institutions, agribusiness stakeholders and policymakers, alongside 40 resource persons.
According to Hadejia, the fund is expected to unlock investment, create jobs, improve food security and reposition the Niger Delta as a key hub for agricultural production.
“The Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Summit 2026 represents a strategic shift from potential to performance, from conversation to capital, and from fragmentation to coordination,” he said.
He explained that the fund is separate from the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, noting that its sole focus is financing agricultural investments in the Niger Delta.
Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the fund would invest across priority agricultural value chains, including palm oil, cassava, cocoa, rice, horticulture, marine resources and livestock.
He disclosed that the summit would also inaugurate the Niger Delta Agricultural Development and Investment Council to coordinate the fund alongside financing from development finance institutions, commercial banks, private equity and debt investors.
According to Ogbuku, the initiative is intended to diversify the Niger Delta economy beyond oil by attracting large-scale agricultural investments capable of creating jobs, increasing exports and stimulating inclusive economic growth.
He added that the NDDC recently provided ₦5 billion to the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce to support small agribusinesses and continues to co-fund the IFAD-backed LIFE-ND programme for small and medium-scale farmers.
Ogbuku also urged investors to consider the Niger Delta as a viable investment destination, describing the region as secure and well-positioned for agricultural expansion.
“Capital only goes where it makes money, and we want to showcase that the Niger Delta is safe and secure for investment,” he said.
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