FG to Reposition Nigerian Women as Key Drivers of Agricultural Economy

The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to reposition women as key drivers of Nigeria’s agricultural economy. 

This assurance was given by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, during her working visit to the IITA Kubwa facility in Abuja.

At the research institute, the Minister evaluated ongoing activities under the WAVE Programme and observed women who are steadily transforming their agricultural practices into viable business ventures. 

She noted that beneficiaries are no longer limited to small-scale subsistence farming but are embracing structured production systems that enhance productivity, improve value addition, and increase income generation.

According to her, the visible progress at the Kubwa site demonstrates that targeted support, technical training, and enterprise development can effectively position women within organised agricultural value chains. 

She stressed that women’s empowerment in agriculture remains critical to achieving inclusive economic growth and strengthening national food security.

The visit also reinforced the strategic partnership between the Ministry and IITA, with the Minister expressing confidence in deeper collaboration to expand impact, improve technical capacity, and sustain recorded gains.

Stakeholders present described the engagement as both strategic and necessary, emphasising that strong coordination between government institutions and research bodies is essential for expanding women’s access to agribusiness opportunities. 

They further commended the alignment between national policy objectives and on-ground implementation.

The Renewed Hope Women Agro-Value Expansion (WAVE) Programme, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, is designed to integrate women into agricultural value chains through structured training, financial inclusion, and improved market linkages, ultimately enabling their transition into profitable agricultural enterprises.