The Tony Elumelu Foundation has announced a $9 million commitment to revitalize communities in the Niger Delta and Jos regions of Nigeria that have been ravaged by natural disasters, environmental hazards, and conflicts.

The Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund will support efforts to increase economic opportunity and empower residents of the two regions to rebuild their lives and businesses. Established as a nonprofit organization, the fund will work to encourage entrepreneurship by providing access to start-up funding, capacity-building assistance, and mentorship while supporting a range of initiatives, including projects designed to tackle environmental issues, restore damaged infrastructure, and improve social welfare in struggling communities.

The fund is part of a $15 million contribution made in July by Heirs Holdings chairman Tony O. Elumelu in support of distressed communities across Nigeria. Two-fifths of the donation, some $6 million, was immediately disbursed to the Victims Support Fund, while the remaining $9 million will be used to seed the Empowerment Fund.

"By making social investments and grants available in select distressed communities across Nigeria, the Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund will economically empower individuals and communities by creating and fostering an enabling environment that will support a new generation of entrepreneurs," said Elumelu. "Entrepreneurs create jobs, opportunity, and wealth at the local level and, in doing so, they play a vital role in reducing poverty and addressing a range of social issues that cause conflict and instability."