LocationsThe Prevention Facility Project, driven by the UNDP, Katsina State Government, and backed by the German Government, has done more than inject funds, it has restored dignity, hope and momentum.
From Survival to Strength: How Empowering MSMEs is Rebuilding Lives in Jibia, Katsina State
August 4, 2025
UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji-Daniel Adeyemo
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of any thriving economy. When they falter, the gap between the rich and the poor grows wider, often fueling social unrest and instability. Supporting MSMEs means more than boosting individual incomes, it’s a strategy for national progress. These businesses are catalysts for inclusive growth, community resilience, and social cohesion.
Nigeria is home to a vast population known for its hustle, grit and entrepreneurial drive often called the “Naija spirit.” This energy, if properly supported, can unlock job opportunities, reduce poverty and build lasting peace across the country. Investing in MSMEs is the smartest way to harness this momentum.
In the Northwest, lies Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State, a strategic border town that shares a boundary with the Republic of Niger. Its location has long made it a vital hub for cross-border trade and commerce, especially in agricultural goods, livestock and textiles. The people of Jibia, mostly Hausa, are deeply rooted in trade and known for their enterprising nature.
But in recent years, Jibia has suffered. A surge in banditry and insecurity has disrupted commercial activities, crippled cross-border trade, and forced many families to flee. Local businesses have struggled to survive and the region’s once-vibrant economy now teeters on the edge.
To address this, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Katsina State Government through the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), launched the Prevention Facility Project. The initiative targets rural communities affected by conflict, focusing on business owners whose livelihoods have been impacted. Through a combination of financial support and formal business training, these entrepreneurs are being equipped to rebuild, adapt, and drive local recovery.
Murja Dahiru: From Struggling Livestock Keeper to Cross-Border Businesswoman
At 48, Murja Dahiru had never lacked ambition. Living in Jibia LGA, Katsina State, she balanced a small-scale livestock business with the daily demands of family life. Her passion for agriculture especially rearing birds and goats ran deep. But passion alone wasn’t enough.
Murja Dahiru
UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji-Daniel Adeyemo
“I’ve always loved livestock farming the birds, the goats, even processing and selling their by-products,” Murja says. “But I couldn’t afford to raise them properly. Many of my birds died because I didn’t have money for good feed. Customers always wanted the bigger ones; the ones I couldn’t provide.”
“I’ve always loved livestock farming the birds, the goats, even processing and selling their by-products,” Murja says. “But I couldn’t afford to raise them properly. Many of my birds died because I didn’t have money for good feed. Customers always wanted the bigger ones; the ones I couldn’t provide.”
Money was tight. With no financial training, Murja often dipped into her business earnings to meet household needs, slowly draining her own venture. “I didn’t realize I was killing my own efforts. The business was barely surviving. I almost gave up.” Encouraged by her husband and friends, she narrowed her focus to goat rearing. But even that wasn't enough to break through.
Then came the turning point.
Through the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), Murja connected with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and joined the Prevention Facility Project, aimed at rebuilding businesses in conflict-affected communities. She was selected for intensive business training and everything changed.
“The training opened my eyes,” she says, smiling. “We learned financial discipline how to separate personal needs from business funds, how to budget, and how to plan for growth. I also discovered new business models I’d never even considered.” After two weeks of training, Murja received a ₦1,000,000 loan to invest in her enterprise. This time, she had a plan and the confidence to execute it.
Murja
UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji-Daniel Adeyemo
The Impact
Murja expanded beyond her community, turning her small operation into a growing cross-border business.
“I’ve sold over 40 livestock and now employ two people to help manage and distribute my products, especially the eggs. I’m making steady profits every month. Repaying the loan hasn’t been a burden it’s a relief.” Her dream now is to build a large livestock farm right in Jibia and empower other women to join her. “Now I know how to reinvest, how to grow, and how to think beyond survival. I’m not just doing business, I’m building a future.”
Today, Murja has gone from barely surviving to thriving from a struggling livestock keeper to a cross-border entrepreneur. Her success is proof that with the right support, women in rural communities can become engines of local and regional growth. “I want to thank the UNDP, the Katsina State Government, and the German government for this smart initiative. It’s more than support, its transformation. They’re not just funding businesses; they’re building resilience and creating real change.”
Babangida Yahya
UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji-Daniel Adeyemo
Babangida Yahya: Rebuilding After Devastation
Babangida Yahya’s journey is one of both heartbreak and hope. A skilled aluminium fabricator, he began his craft at a young age and quickly earned a strong reputation. His work reached beyond Katsina, drawing in clients from Niger and other neighboring countries. Business was booming until everything collapsed.
In 2021, tragedy struck. “A major shipment of materials I invested in was intercepted and destroyed by bandits,” Babangida recalls. “I lost goods worth over one million naira. It felt like my entire world collapsed. I didn’t know how to start over. It was a terrible time for me and my family.”
The emotional toll was heavy. But the financial fallout was worse. With no capital, Babangida couldn’t fulfill orders. His apprentices left. Loyal clients turned elsewhere. His once-promising business fell silent. “This kind of work needs capital. No money, no jobs. I was drowning in debt. I just couldn’t keep going.”
In 2021, tragedy struck. “A major shipment of materials I invested in was intercepted and destroyed by bandits,” Babangida recalls. “I lost goods worth over one million naira. It felt like my entire world collapsed. I didn’t know how to start over. It was a terrible time for me and my family.”
The emotional toll was heavy. But the financial fallout was worse. With no capital, Babangida couldn’t fulfill orders. His apprentices left. Loyal clients turned elsewhere. His once-promising business fell silent. “This kind of work needs capital. No money, no jobs. I was drowning in debt. I just couldn’t keep going.”
A Turning Point: The Prevention Facility Project
Then came a lifeline. Through the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) and the UNDP’s German-funded Prevention Facility Project, Babangida got a second chance. The initiative aimed at reviving local economies in conflict-affected areas offered him targeted support.
“When I heard about the programme and its mission, I was eager. I met the criteria, got selected, attended the training, and received a one million naira loan. It felt like redemption.”
Armed with a new mindset, Babangida returned to the workshop. He developed a focused plan and began making careful, strategic decisions to get his business back on track.
Babangida
UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji-Daniel Adeyemo
The Impact
“I’m already bouncing back,” he says, a quiet pride in his voice. “I’ve started repaying the loan, and for the first time in years, I’m saving again.” Today, Babangida has three apprentices under his wing. His goal? To equip them to start their own businesses, passing on the skills and support that gave him a second chance.
“That’s how we build resilience. One person helps the next.”
Filled with gratitude, he adds: “To the Katsina State Government, the UNDP, and the German Government, thank you. You didn’t just help me rebuild my business. You helped me rebuild my life.”
Ahmadu Usman
UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji-Daniel Adeyemo
Ahmadu Usman: Trading Through Crisis, Rebuilding with Purpose
Ahmadu Usman, 49, is a trader from Jibia LGA in Katsina State. For him, trading isn’t just a job it’s a legacy. “It’s what my father did,” he says. “I grew up learning from him. Even though he worked on a small scale, he provided for our family. That business was everything.”
Ahmadu took over after his father passed, gradually expanding the trade. But in 2023, everything changed. While importing goods from Niger worth over ₦500,000, his shipment was intercepted by bandits. The loss devastated him not just financially, but emotionally.
“That moment nearly crippled me. I had to stay strong for my family, but inside, I was broken. I didn’t know how to recover.” He tried to keep going, barely scraping by. Feeding his family became a struggle. Business slowed to a crawl. Like many others in conflict-hit communities, Ahmadu faced a future that felt out of reach until help arrived from an unexpected place.
“That moment nearly crippled me. I had to stay strong for my family, but inside, I was broken. I didn’t know how to recover.” He tried to keep going, barely scraping by. Feeding his family became a struggle. Business slowed to a crawl. Like many others in conflict-hit communities, Ahmadu faced a future that felt out of reach until help arrived from an unexpected place.
The Turning Point: The Prevention Facility Project
Ahmadu became a beneficiary of the Northwest Prevention Facility Project, implemented by the UNDP in partnership with the Katsina State Government through KASEDA, and funded by the German Government.
The project was designed to support business owners like Ahmadu people whose livelihoods had been disrupted by insecurity but still had the will to rebuild. It offered both financial aid and practical business training.
“When I got selected, I was shocked in a good way,” he says. “It was transparent, fair, and real. I received ₦900,000 and training that changed everything about how I manage my business.”
The Impact: From Struggle to Stability
Ahmadu didn’t waste time. With a clearer understanding of financial management and a fresh injection of capital, he restocked his shop, shifted to smarter purchasing and rebuilt relationships with suppliers and customers.
Within seven months, his business was not just back, it was thriving. “Now, I buy in bulk and supply to smaller traders. I’ve empowered some of my apprentices, and I’ve created an emergency fund. I’ve learned to never be caught off guard again.”
A Ripple Effect
Ahmadu’s recovery is more than a personal win, it’s part of a broader shift in Jibia LGA. The Prevention Facility Project is seeding recovery across the region, one entrepreneur at a time.
“I’m forever grateful to the German Government, UNDP, and the Katsina State Government. This support changed my life. With more projects like this, we’re not just rebuilding businesses, we’re rebuilding communities.”
A Model for Resilience and Recovery
These stories from Jibia LGA are more than individual successes, they are blueprints for what’s possible when targeted interventions meet local ambition. With the right support, even communities hit hardest by conflict can find their footing, rebuild stronger and become agents of broader economic recovery.
Drawing inspiration from these success stories, our partners hope that communities will begin to rediscover their strength and resilience. “With the interventions provided, we’re optimistic that these communities will bounce back and thrive as a prosperous part of Jibia LGA and the entire Northwest region,” said Jonas Geutschke (Germany Diplomat)
Jonas Geutschke
UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji-Daniel Adeyemo
The Prevention Facility Project, driven by the UNDP, Katsina State Government, and backed by the German Government, has done more than inject funds, it has restored dignity, hope and momentum. By blending financial access with practical knowledge, it proves that real empowerment is not charity, it’s smart, sustainable development. If scaled and sustained, initiatives like this could transform not just Jibia, but vulnerable communities across Nigeria, one small business at a time.
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