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Restoring Hope: Empowering Communities Affected by Conflict in Northeast Nigeria

A multi-faceted approach that combines livelihoods, skills training, and social cohesion to drive recovery and resilience

By UNDP NIGERIA

August 25^th, 2025

In communities torn by conflict, even the smallest act of support can spark transformation. For families who have lost their homes and livelihoods, early recovery assistance is more than a relief , it restores dignity, rekindles hope, and opens the path to a brighter future.

Over the past two (2) years, with support of the Government of Japan, we have been providing early recovery and livelihood support to victims of conflict across Northeast Nigeria through the Early Recovery project. From reconstructing essential community infrastructure, to providing seeds and tools that boost agricultural productivity, from establishing savings groups that rebuild financial resilience, to equipping young people with marketable skills, each component works in harmony to restore not just livelihoods, but entire communities. These diverse interventions come together to create a comprehensive recovery tapestry, ensuring that no aspect of community rebuilding is overlooked.

The success stories behind each intervention reveal the profound impact of a holistic recovery approach rooted in localized solutions.

Agricultural Productivity Boosted

For many people in North-East Nigeria, farming is not just a livelihood but a means of survival. Years of conflict forced farmers to abandon their farmlands, and even today, insecurity restricts many to smaller, safer areas near their homes. Despite these challenges, farmers remain determined to make the most of the land they can access. Recognizing this resilience, the Early Recovery Project provided farmers with modern tools, quality seeds, fertilizers, and hands-on training to boost productivity.

Ajiri community, Borno State, known for its resilient farmers and rich agricultural traditions, farming once meant backbreaking labor and costly trips to Maiduguri just to hire a tractor.

Restoring Hope: Empowering Communities Affected by Conflict in Northeast Nigeria

“We would pay so much money to bring a tractor all the way from Maiduguri to Ajiri just to prepare our land. It was a heavy burden on us,” recalls Ya Aisa, an elderly farmer.

That changed when the project brought comprehensive support directly to Ajiri - the results have been remarkable. Families who once struggled with small plots now cultivate more land, and have even grown rice for the very first time, and they even harvest higher yields.

“As an elderly woman, I can now farm without straining myself too much,and I even get better yields too,” says Ya Aisa with pride. Her words echo the renewed hope across Ajiri, where farming is no longer just about survival, but about building a better future for generations to come.

In Malkohi community, Adamawa State, another farmer's story echoes the same transformation. The conflict had left his farm in ruins and his family struggling to survive.

"My farm was in disarray, and I struggled to provide for my family," Ahmadu recalls. But like the farmers of Ajiri, everything changed when the Early Recovery project supported farmers in the community with improved seeds, fertilizers, farming tools, and sprayers.

The results exceeded expectations. Ahmadu’s farm not only flourished but produced a harvest far greater than he had imagined. He was able to generate income that created a cycle of self-sufficiency, freeing him from dependency on humanitarian aid. “I was able to make good sales from my last harvest, which enabled me to plant again this year, and I am expecting an even bigger harvest,” he says confidently. “Today, my farm is thriving, and I’m proud to be able to provide for my family.”

Financial Freedom Through Community-Led Savings

Financial resilience is vital for communities working to recover from conflict. Through the Early Recovery Project, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) were introduced and strengthened across communities in Northeast Nigeria, giving women and men access to savings, credit, and small-scale investments. These groups have helped families rebuild their lives, pay for children’s education, and start small businesses hence creating a foundation for long-term recovery.

A good example of this transformation is Maduganari community in Borno State. Comfort Bulama, a VSLA member, shared: “Before joining the group, I had no way to save or borrow. Now, I can support my children’s education. I even started a small business. The association has given me confidence and made me hopeful for a better future.”

Beyond financial empowerment, VSLAs have become powerful platforms for social cohesion. In communities where mistrust and division were once common, these groups bring together women and men from diverse backgrounds to save, invest, and solve problems collectively. Members meet regularly, share experiences, and support one another during crises, promoting trust and solidarity. This has helped mend fractured relationships, strengthen community networks, and promote peacebuilding.

As another member, Halima Umar, put it: “Our group is not just about savings, it is family. We look out for each other, and that has supported community bonding in a positive way.”

Women and Youth Empowered

At the heart of the Early Recovery Project lies the empowerment of youth and women, as they are the backbone of sustainable recovery and community development. In conflict affected communiites, providing women and young people with vocational skills is an investment in the growth of the community.

The Women Empowerment Center in Kukuri, Yobe State, built as a result of this project is an example of a good investment in community development. Offering training in tailoring, and hairdressing, the center has empowered over 2,000 women and youth with the skills, and tools to shape their futures. “This center has restored hope for many,” says the Center Manager, Abubakar Ibrahim. “We’ve seen young people and women not only gain skills but have gone ahead to open their own business and are doing tremendously well at it.”

Another powerful example is that of Karima Suleiman from Borno State. “Living in Borno, I thought my future was uncertain. I struggled to find my feet, but everything changed when I received training in tailoring through the Early Recovery Project. With the skills I gained, I started my own business and purchased my first sewing machine. Today, I’m proud to be self-sufficient, supporting my family and contributing to my community,” she said.

The impact of this project extends beyond individual success stories. Women who once felt voiceless are now business owners, role models, and agents of change. Their contributions are strengthening household resilience, fueling local economies, and fostering social cohesion. Each intervention contribute to stronger, more resilient communities, where displaced families can return home, young people can find opportunities, and conflict-affected communities can rebulid back better.