UN Agency, Firm Launch Deal To Create 10,000 Jobs For Displaced Nigerians

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group have launched a three-year partnership to create over 10,000 jobs and improve the livelihoods of displaced persons and vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

The initiative, which will be implemented through TGI’s agribusiness subsidiary, WACOT Limited, is expected to support over 5,000 farmers in Benue and Cross River States while directly benefitting refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities.

In a statement released to journalists in Abuja, yesterday, the partners said between 25,000 and 35,000 people are projected to benefit from the programme through enhanced agricultural production and improved access to economic opportunities.

Under the arrangement, farmers in fragile communities will receive improved agricultural inputs, technical training, certification support, and access to structured markets across key value chains including rice, maize, sesame, soya, and cocoa.

The partnership comes amid growing concerns over global displacement. UNHCR’s latest Global Trends Report revealed that about 117.8 million people are currently forcibly displaced worldwide, representing one in every 70 people globally. In Nigeria, more than 3.8 million people have been displaced, while Nigerians account for 3.5 per cent of the world’s forcibly displaced population.

Speaking on the initiative, UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Arjun Jain, described the partnership as a strategic move from humanitarian assistance to sustainable economic empowerment.

“This partnership is about moving from aid to opportunity. TGI and UNHCR are connecting displaced people to jobs, skills, and markets so they can rebuild their lives with dignity and contribute to the economy,” he said.

Also, Habiba Sulaiman of TGI Group said the company remains committed to promoting inclusive growth and economic resilience among vulnerable populations.

She noted that the collaboration would strengthen the company’s supply chains while creating meaningful economic opportunities for communities affected by displacement.

The officials disclosed that implementation has commenced, with consultations involving government agencies and local communities completed, alongside soil sampling exercises.

The initiative builds on an earlier partnership between UNHCR and TGI in 2024 and reflects a growing emphasis on market-driven solutions that promote self-reliance and economic inclusion.

TGI Group, through WACOT Limited, works with thousands of farmers across Nigeria, while its subsidiary, WACOT Rice Limited, operates one of the largest rice mills in Sub-Saharan Africa with an annual milling capacity of 250,000 metric tonnes.