FAO Reports $2.3B Loss in Nigeria Due to Gender Gap in Agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that Nigeria incurs an estimated annual loss of $2.3 billion due to the gender gap in agricultural productivity, which represents about two percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This information was disclosed by Jimmy Owani, representing the FAO in Nigeria and ECOWAS, during a high-level meeting in Abuja on September 16, 2026, commemorating the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

The event focused on "Advancing Women’s Leadership and Economic Power in Nigeria’s Agrifood System." Owani highlighted that women contribute approximately 37 percent of labor in crop production but face significant barriers in accessing land, finance, technology, and leadership opportunities. He noted that female-managed farms often have lower productivity due to unequal access to resources.

The FAO estimates that closing gender gaps in agricultural productivity and wages globally could add nearly $1 trillion to the world economy. Owani called for increased representation of women in various agricultural sectors and decision-making roles.