Federal Government Launches WAVE Initiative to Empower 10 Million Women in Agriculture
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, has unveiled a bold new initiative aimed at empowering 10 million Nigerian women across the agricultural value chain.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day National Capacity-Building Workshop in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the programme as “a turning point in Nigeria’s journey towards gender equity in agriculture.”
The workshop, which runs from August 27–29, 2025, is organized in collaboration with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It features practical training on greenhouse farming, homestead gardening, post-harvest storage, financial literacy, and agribusiness development.
Women at the Heart of Agriculture
Highlighting key challenges faced by women in the sector, the Minister noted that although women make up 70% of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce and contribute 80% of total output, they still earn 30% less than men, with only 10% owning farmland or accessing financing.
“This exclusion may not always be deliberate, but it is real—and it ends now,” she declared.
At the core of this new effort is the Women Agro Value Expansion Initiative (WAVE)—a flagship programme designed to equip women with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive as entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders within Nigeria’s food systems.
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Partnerships for Change
The workshop also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the OIC. Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakheet, OIC Assistant Secretary-General, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in advancing women’s empowerment and food security across the Muslim world.
Special recognition was given to the Mutual Commitment Company, a private-sector partner in the WAVE Consortium, for its consistent support.
Voices from the Field
Participants welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. Mrs. Dinatu Adiza Sani, a farmer from Abuja Municipal Area Council, shared her excitement:
“I have been farming ginger and groundnuts for years, but I only sold them raw. This workshop is teaching me how to process, package, and earn more.”
Chairman of WAVE, Mr. Shittu Kabir, described the programme as a “game-changer” that will help women embrace modern farming techniques and build sustainable value chains.
A Call to Action
As Nigeria marks 30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action and the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Minister urged women to seize the moment:
“The policies are being reformed, the support systems are growing—but the real transformation lies in your hands.”
She concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring women are not only included in agriculture but also positioned as leaders and innovators.
“Your success is Nigeria’s success.”
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