•Stakeholders advocate value-chain Cooperatives, AfDB funding
•Seek ways to transform conflict-affected communities into engines of growth
Leading figures from Nigeria's private sector, civil society organisations, and development finance institutions have sought to forge innovative pathways for building economic resilience and countering violent extremism in the country's most vulnerable regions.
This was the highlight of the roundtable in Abuja, convened by the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network in collaboration with the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).
In a statement made available on Thursday by the National Coordinator, Media Against Violent Extremism (MAVE) Network, Senator Iroegbu, the dialogue brought together stakeholders, including Jaye Gaskia, Chairman of PAVE Network; Yetunde Adegoke, National Coordinator of GCERF Nigeria; Emmanuel Nehemiah, CEO of Nehemiah Foundation; Umar Saleh Anka, Director of Research at Green Legacy Nigeria; Adenale Adegoke, CEO of Agroxchange Group; and Ilyasu Ishak, Investment Coordinator at Robust International Commodities Limited, amongst others.
In his opening remarks, Gaskia emphasised that the initiative seeks more than financial contributions from the private sector. "We are not here just for financial resources. We are also looking for technical expertise, ideas, and all other forms of support," he stated, underscoring the collaborative nature of the engagement.
Central to the discussions was the unveiling of the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) - Knowledge, Innovation, and Resource Hub (PCVE-KIRH), a digital platform of the PAVE Network designed to consolidate research, tools, and expertise for community-level interventions on PCVE. Gaskia explained that the hub would function as both a knowledge repository and a community of practice, connecting practitioners across Nigeria and beyond to share innovations, incubate solutions, and scale successful initiatives.
The roundtable advanced a transformative approach to livelihoods through value-chain cooperatives. Unlike traditional cooperative models that cluster individuals around a single activity, the proposed framework integrates entire production ecosystems—encompassing producers, transporters, processors, packagers, and distributors—to create sustainable and resilient economic structures.
"Many existing cooperatives are just groups of individuals clustered around a single activity. But what we are building are value-chain cooperatives," Gaskia explained, adding that the model also links communities to secondary markets while addressing social and emotional recovery needs in conflict-affected areas.
Adenale Adegoke of Agroxchange Group outlined practical applications of this integrated approach, highlighting in-grower agro schemes, digital agriculture initiatives for youth, and end-to-end value chain coordination. "Our key goal is to establish a balance between social, economic, and environmental capital," he said, noting that the model creates employment, increases incomes, and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
A significant portion of the dialogue focused on unlocking development finance, particularly through the African Development Bank's (AfDB) Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) Support Facility. Consultant with the AfDB, Jumobi Fashola, detailed how the facility links conflict resolution with economic development by providing structured funding to both state governments and private sector actors through financial intermediaries.
"Projects are assessed for weak governance, climate change impacts, resource-related conflicts, and unemployment risks," Fashola explained, noting that eligibility depends on state government requests, project viability, and compliance with rigorous due diligence standards.
Ilyasu Ishak of Robust International Commodities Limited emphasised that financing availability is not the primary challenge. "The money is there, but unlocking it requires capacity, risk mitigation, and innovative approaches that make investors confident to act," he stated, adding that the key barrier remains the ability to develop compelling, bankable proposals that satisfy development finance institutions.
Umar Saleh Anka shared insights from Green Legacy Nigeria's research on the Kano-Maraki Rail Line Project, which proposes transforming the 400-kilometre corridor into a productive green space through agroforestry systems that restore vegetation while reintegrating displaced populations.
Yetunde Adegoke revealed that GCERF has engaged with the AfDB to explore de-risking mechanisms for bottom-up, outgrower business projects in Nigeria. "We are gathering information to develop strong concept notes that can facilitate private sector engagement with development finance institutions," she said.
The roundtable concluded with consensus on several imperatives: strengthening institutional frameworks, aligning projects with state development plans, conducting comprehensive feasibility studies, and building capacity to produce bankable proposals. Participants also emphasised the importance of considering political economy factors, including alignment with gubernatorial tenures and long-term state development strategies.
By integrating private sector innovation, development finance mechanisms, and community-centred cooperative models, stakeholders expressed confidence that Nigeria's fragile states can be transformed from zones of vulnerability into engines of sustainable growth and stability.
The initiative represents a shift from isolated livelihood interventions to comprehensive, scalable systems that address the interconnected challenges of conflict, displacement, unemployment, and weak governance in Nigeria's most vulnerable regions.
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