The Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) has officially launched the National Soil to Security Campaign Team (SSC), a nationwide initiative designed to empower 12 million young Nigerian women with modern agribusiness skills.
This launch was made public on Wednesday in Abuja through a statement issued by Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, President of the UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF).
Dr. Elizabeth Egbetokun, President of POWA and National Advocate of the UNESCO REF Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) Initiative, revealed that the unveiling coincided with POWA’s 61st anniversary celebration.
She explained that the SSC will serve as the outreach arm of the UNESCO REF Strategic Intervention Programme – ALPHA (SIP-ALPHA), a framework designed to boost food security, promote climate-smart agriculture, and foster inclusive economic growth across the country.
Egbetokun noted that the campaign is aligned with the Federal Government’s emergency declaration on food security made on July 13, 2023. It is also expected to create sustainable income opportunities by engaging women in high-value agricultural sectors ranging from production to export.
“Through this campaign, we are empowering young women to escape poverty by participating in resilient and scalable agricultural ventures that generate income, restore dignity, and impact the nation,” she said.
She added that the YWA and SSC initiatives directly complement President Bola Tinubu’s agribusiness transformation and food security agenda, as well as the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative. They also support key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 1, 2, 5, 8, and 13.
SIP-ALPHA introduces innovative, technology-driven agricultural models such as hydroponics and Kenaf-based agribusinesses.
Prince Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, National Coordinator of YWA Nigeria, emphasized the initiative’s potential to revolutionize agriculture in Nigeria. “The future of food lies not just in the soil, but in knowledge, equity, and innovation. The SSC Team reflects Nigeria’s dedication to sustainable agriculture and to empowering young women as leaders of a resilient economy and a peaceful society,” he said.
The SSC Team will operate across all 36 states, mobilizing young women, promoting agricultural technology, and improving access to inclusive markets. Their responsibilities will also include grassroots registration and community engagement.
By 2030, the initiative aims to train and certify 12 million Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) Champions, while building strong, women-led agribusiness ecosystems nationwide.
Key supporters of the initiative include the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, the UNESCO Commission Nigeria, Women Space USA, Salvation Academy USA, and the University of the District of Columbia, Washington D.C., among others.
