UN Advocates for Empowerment of Women Farmers in Nigeria

The United Nations called for inclusive agricultural policies and increased investment in women farmers to eliminate structural barriers limiting their access to land, finance, technology, and markets. This call was made during a press conference to commemorate the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.

Ms Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stated that women constitute about 70 percent of those involved in food crop production, processing, and commercialization. She highlighted that women face significant challenges, including lack of access to essential resources and the impact of climate change on productive land.

Eyong emphasized the need for agricultural interventions that consider women's unpaid domestic responsibilities. Dr Hussein Gadain, FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, stressed that empowering women farmers requires improved access to resources and decision-making opportunities.

Ms Dede Ahoefa Ekoue, Country Director for Nigeria, UN and IFAD, shared her grandmother's experience to illustrate the consequences of denying women access to land and resources, warning of broader implications for families and communities.