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Addressing Food Sustainability in Nigeria Through Women Farmers
Addressing Food Sustainability in Nigeria Through Women Farmers
By: Victor Emejuiwe
As Nigeria grapples with the food shortage across the country, it is now time to re-think the pivotal role of women in promoting food sustainability in Nigeria. Women are natural beings with an innate potential to conceive, deliver and nurture. This potential is not restrictive to biological cycle of life but it extends to all spheres of life including political, social and economic life.
In almost all communities in Nigeria, women constitute a major percentage of active farmers. Women in rural communities have been able to combine strength, zeal and dexterity in production of farm inputs that contributes to the survival and sustainability of the Homefront. Most times the women generate income from the produce of their farms by actively engaging in market days trading activities. It is however worrisome that despite the huge population of women farmers in Nigeria, their impact for the economic sustainability of Nigeria through food production is yet to be felt.
A lot of factors have contributed to stifling the potentials of women in sustainable food production in Nigeria. Some of those factors are both social, cultural, economic and political. In specific terms, the land ownership system in Nigeria does not really favor the female gender, as most families bequeath inheritance of landed property to male rather than women. As a result of this most women are given portions of land to farm out of benevolent gestures other than as a right of ownership.
This scenario has limited women farmers to become just subsistent farmers. Other factors limiting women farmers in Nigeria can also be traced to lack of support from government. Women has limited access to resources compared to their male folks and this makes it difficult for them to compete in the Agric-business economy.
The lack of resources serves as a limitation to accessing modern farm tools that would enable them go into large scale production, where-as these tools can be made easily available through loans to their male counterparts. There is also the dearth of knowledge on large scale farming amongst women farmers and this have restrained them to subsistent farming. Another inhibiting factor, is the cultural limitations that confines women with reproductive and domestic roles. This is even worse when there is lack of support from the home front to balance the economic outputs of women vis-à-vis their reproductive functions coupled with their domestic responsibilities. This calls for serious attention.
To address some of the limitations highlighted above, there is need to review the provision of some existing policies that support women contribution to food sustainability. The national policy on Agriculture aims at attaining self-sustainable growth in all the sub-sectors of agriculture and the structural transformation necessary for the overall socio-economic development of the country as well as the improvement in the quality of life of Nigerians.
To achieve this policy the female gender must be strategically empowered to contribute to food sustainability in Nigeria. This is also in line with the goal of the national policy on Gender in Agriculture. The agriculture gender policy is to promote and ensure the adoption of gender sensitive and responsive approaches towards engendering plans and programmes in such a way that men and women have access to and control of productive resources and facilities to bridge gender gaps. The policy document will enhance the platform to build an agri-business ecosystem to meet both domestic and foreign demands to achieve food security and accelerated development.
There is no other better time to implement these policies than now! Therefore, in line with the strategies contained in these policies, the government should take the following practical steps. First and fir most, it should collaborate with stakeholders to identify the gender limiting factors restraining women from participating in large scale farming and set-up a mechanism to mainstream gender equality in Agri-business. Secondly, through an inter-sectoral collaboration, government should allocate resources across sectors that would render support to women in agriculture.
Thirdly, there is need to implement gender sensitive laws, policies and regulations as well as build the capacity of stakeholders to abide by the guiding principles that provides for equitable access to women farmers.
Fourthly, for women to be involved in large scale production and commercial agriculture, women farmers should be granted subsidies on agricultural products. In essence modern farming tools for mechanized farming should be provided at subsidized rates to women farmers. Fifthly, the federal and state government should provide soft loans with low interest rates and favorable re-payment plans to women in agriculture this would enable them get easy access to resources
Finally, to achieve the above, women farmers association should be mainstreamed in every policy decisions of government, they should be given the opportunity to contribute to government policies, actions and implementations. All these and more would contribute immensely to achieve food sustainability in Nigeria
Victor Emejuiwe
Monitoring & Evaluation /Strategic Communication Manager
Writes from Centre for Social Justice, Abuja
08068262366
Addressing Food Sustainability in Nigeria Through Women Farmers
News
No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta
No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old Nigerian, Mene Ogidi, reportedly shot by a police officer in Effurun, warning that the authority of law enforcement must never be abused to take lives unlawfully.
In a statement released in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, described the April 26 incident as “deeply disturbing” and a direct violation of constitutional guarantees and the rule of law.
He stressed that no citizen should lose their life at the hands of those entrusted with their protection, noting that the reported conduct of the officer involved was “condemnable, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the principles of justice and a civilized society.”
The NHRC boss raised alarm over what he termed a troubling pattern of excessive force by security personnel, urging the Nigeria Police to take immediate and decisive action to curb the trend.
He called for systemic reforms, including mandatory periodic psychological and mental fitness evaluations for officers, particularly those deployed on special assignments, to ensure they are capable of handling firearms responsibly and engaging civilians within the bounds of the law.
Ojukwu further demanded swift disciplinary measures against the officer implicated in the incident, insisting that accountability must be pursued in line with existing laws and police regulations. He also pressed for the full implementation of recommendations from past panels on police brutality, arguing that meaningful reform remains critical to preventing future abuses.
“The Commission demands immediate arrest and a transparent investigation into the incident, dismissal of the officer involved, and swift prosecution in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that justice must also include adequate compensation for the victim’s family.
He warned that delays in justice risk eroding public trust in state institutions and weakening confidence in law enforcement agencies.
Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to human rights protection, Ojukwu said the NHRC would closely monitor the case while continuing its advocacy for accountability and justice.
“Nigeria must never normalize brutality,” he said. “Justice must speak louder than silence.”
No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta
News
Bangladesh Seeks Deeper Strategic Ties with Nigeria
Bangladesh Seeks Deeper Strategic Ties with Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria has reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral relations, describing Bangladesh and Nigeria as natural partners bound by shared aspirations for development, cultural understanding, and global cooperation.
Speaking at the Bangla New Year 1433 celebration in Abuja, the High Commissioner, Miah Md. Mainul Kabir, emphasized that although geographically distant, Bangladesh and Nigeria share strong historical and developmental parallels as populous, dynamic, and rapidly evolving economies in their respective regions.
He noted that the relationship between both countries has continued to expand steadily in recent years, particularly in areas of trade, education, capacity building, and cultural exchange.
According to him, there remains significant untapped potential for collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, ICT, and human capital development.
The High Commissioner stressed that cultural diplomacy remains a vital bridge in strengthening bilateral relations, adding that events such as the Bangla New Year celebration in Abuja provide an important platform for fostering mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations. He described such engagements as essential tools for building trust and expanding cooperation beyond formal diplomatic channels.
He further underscored the importance of people-to-people connections, noting that the Bangladeshi community in Nigeria plays a key role in reinforcing goodwill and serving as informal ambassadors of their country. He commended their contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic environment while also preserving cultural identity abroad.

Reiterating Bangladesh’s interest in stronger engagement with Nigeria, the High Commissioner said both countries stand to benefit from enhanced cooperation in trade diversification, knowledge exchange, and investment partnerships. He expressed optimism that continued dialogue and cultural interaction would translate into more structured bilateral initiatives in the near future.
He described the celebration of the Bangla New Year in Abuja as a reflection of the growing warmth in bilateral relations and a symbol of shared commitment to friendship and mutual progress between Bangladesh and Nigeria.
The event was arranged by the High Commission of Bangladesh in Abuja. And present were Ambassadors, members of diplomatic corps, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of think tanks, media, business community of Nigeria and expatriate Bangladeshis. The venue was colourfully decorated with traditional Bangladeshi artifacts, symbols of cultural heritage. Diversity of Bangladesh’s landscape in different seasons were put on display. A spectacular cultural performance by Bangladeshi and Nigerian artists displaying different aspects of the six seasons of Bangladesh charmed the audience. Traditional Bangladeshi food items including various pithas were served among the guests.
Bangladesh Seeks Deeper Strategic Ties with Nigeria
News
Troops Foil Motorcycle Snatching Attempt in Plateau by Berom Militia, Victim Later Dies
Troops Foil Motorcycle Snatching Attempt in Plateau by Berom Militia, Victim Later Dies
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 5 Operation Peace Enforcement (OPEP) have foiled an attempted motorcycle snatching incident in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State by Berom Militia.
Security sources said that the incident occurred at about 7:20 p.m. on April 28 in Maiduna village, Dafof district, when armed individuals attacked a civilian and attempted to seize his motorcycle.
The sources said troops deployed at Maiduna general location responded swiftly to distress calls, forcing the attackers to abandon their mission and flee the scene.
According to the sources, the victim was rescued with injuries and his motorcycle recovered by troops during the operation.
They added that the victim was later evacuated to a clinic in Dafof, where he was confirmed dead despite medical attention.
The recovered motorcycle is currently in military custody, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Troops Foil Motorcycle Snatching Attempt in Plateau by Berom Militia, Victim Later Dies
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