LocationsHow the Northwest Prevention Facility Project Is Restoring Livelihoods and Hope in Crisis-Affected Communities
From Survival to Self-Reliance
February 19, 2026
The project delivers a confidence-building package designed to help affected families rebuild their livelihoods, restore dignity, and regain the capacity to provide for themselves.
UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji Adeyemo
Building and sustaining lasting peace requires more than ending violence, it demands systems that strengthen local peace processes while restoring dignity and economic stability to families affected by crisis. In Northwest Nigeria, this means addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term pathways to resilience.
Through the Northwest Prevention Facility Project, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government and funded by the German Embassy in Nigeria, adopted a holistic approach to responding to the protracted crisis in the region. The project delivers a confidence-building package designed to help affected families rebuild their livelihoods, restore dignity, and regain the capacity to provide for themselves. The project is supporting communities to move beyond survival toward resilience and sustainable peace.
Mariam Bello
UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji Adeyemo
Mariam Bello, a 62-year-old mother of four from Kaita LGA, Katsina State, is one of those whose lives have taken a positive turn through the Northwest Prevention Facility Project.
“I am married with four children. My husband is a trader who buys and sells provisions, but business has been very difficult because of the insecurity in our area,” Mariam explains. “I always wanted to support my family, but I didn’t have the opportunity. It wasuntil UNDP came that I received support through skills training and grant. I was amazed and very happy.t.”
As part of the project, Mariam received skills training alongside a ₦200,000 grant, helping her rebuild confidence and rediscover her strength after years of uncertainty. With renewed hope, she embraced the livelihood support, an opportunity she had long been waiting for.
“I was very interested when we were told we would receive training in skills of our choice. Years ago, when I was still single, I could sew very well, but I had lost touch. This training helped me sharpen my skills again,” she shared. “I received a tailoring starter kit, while others received machines or farm inputs. I was so happy to finally contribute my own quota to my family and community.”
“I was very interested when we were told we would receive training in skills of our choice. Years ago, when I was still single, I could sew very well, but I had lost touch. This training helped me sharpen my skills again,” she shared. “I received a tailoring starter kit, while others received machines or farm inputs. I was so happy to finally contribute my own quota to my family and community.”
Beneficiaries under the project received skills acquisition training in areas such as tailoring, shoemaking, vulcanizing, operating grinding machines, and agriculture, alongside starter kits to ease their transition into sustainable livelihoods.
Today, Mariam runs a thriving tailoring business in Ilela LGA. During festive seasons, she earns between ₦30,000 and ₦40,000 in monthly profit, supports her household, and saves through a cooperative to purchase an embroidery machine. Beyond income, she now trains young girls in tailoring, helping them build independence and confidence.
“I am now able to support my husband and family,” Mariam says proudly. “I also train young girls so they can stand on their own. I am very grateful to the UNDP for this initiative.
Her success has created a ripple effect, strengthening not just her family, but the wider community.
Abdulhafiz Abubakar
UNDP_NG_NW_2026
“I received over four weeks of both theoretical and practical training,” he recalls. “It opened my eyes to opportunities I never thought were within reach. Seeing children in torn uniforms always stayed with me, but I felt helpless. This intervention gave me the means to finally do something about it.”
For Abdulhafiz Abubakar, a 33-year-old volunteer teacher in Illela LGA, the Northwest Prevention Facility Project became the turning point that transformed a long-held dream into a sustainable source of livelihood.
Inspired by his mother, once a fashion designer before health challenges forced her to stop, Abdulhafiz had always hoped to follow in her footsteps. His dream, however, was never just about himself. He wanted to sew affordable school uniforms for children in his community, many of whom attended school in worn-out clothing, while also earning an income to support his family.
“Teaching here is voluntary,” Abdulhafiz explains. “I loved working with the children, but without a steady income, it was difficult to pursue my dream or even meet basic needs.”
His journey took a new direction when he became a beneficiary of the Project. Through structured skills acquisition training and livelihood support, Abdulhafiz not only gained technical knowledge in fashion design but also rediscovered a sense of confidence and possibility.
“I received over four weeks of both theoretical and practical training,” he recalls. “It opened my eyes to opportunities I never thought were within reach. Seeing children in torn uniforms always stayed with me, but I felt helpless. This intervention gave me the means to finally do something about it.”
With a tailoring machine provided as a starter kit, Abdulhafiz rented a small shop, where he now works during his free time. What began as a modest step has grown into a meaningful source of income and hope.
“On average, I now make close to ₦20,000 in monthly profit,” he shares. “I’m even planning to expand into trading clothing materials. This opportunity has truly changed my life, and it was made possible through the support of UNDP under the Northwest Prevention Facility Project.”
Today, Mariam and Abdulhafiz’s stories reflect more than personal success, it is a reminder of how targeted livelihood support can restore dignity, unlock potential, and enable individuals to contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
With continuous support from the German Government and strong collaboration with the State Government, communities, families, and individuals are finding renewed hope, rebuilding their livelihoods and shaping more secure and self-reliant futures.