Abuja: The Federal Government, in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria and development partners, has unveiled the 2025-2030 Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation and its Strategic Action Plan. The policy is aimed at promoting equitable access to agricultural resources, opportunities, and decision-making across the agrifood value chain.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, stated at the unveiling that this initiative marked a major step towards building an inclusive, productive, and sustainable agricultural sector. Represented by his Minister of State, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Kyari emphasized that agriculture is central to Nigeria’s priorities in driving food security, employment, and economic growth. However, he noted that persistent gender disparities continue to limit the full participation of women, who play key roles across the agrifood value chain.
Kyari explained that the policy provides a practical framework for ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for both women and men, while strengthening gender-responsive approaches in agricultural programmes. He highlighted that the success of this policy depends on effective implementation and urged all relevant institutions and stakeholders to integrate this policy into their plans, programmes, and budgets, while ensuring strong monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
In his remarks, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, noted that the policy focuses on addressing the roles, opportunities, and challenges faced by women in ensuring national food security. He described the unveiling as a milestone in efforts to promote inclusive agricultural development and ensure that no segment of the population is left behind.
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the unveiling as a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey towards an inclusive and resilient agrifood system. Represented by Mrs. Olufunke Olukeye, Director of People and Culture, he stated that the policy reflects Nigeria’s commitment to placing gender equity and social inclusion at the center of agrifood transformation.
Mamedu, who also chairs the National Gender Steering Committee, emphasized that the policy was developed through extensive consultations involving government, civil society, development partners, the private sector, and farming communities. He stressed that its implementation would require political will, adequate funding, strong institutions, and accountability at all levels.
Additionally, the Country Director of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Dr. Rufus Idris, pledged support for the policy, stating that gender inclusion is critical to transforming Africa’s food systems. Dr. Nkiruka Okonkwo, National Consultant on the policy review, mentioned that the framework was designed to eliminate structural inequalities and institutional barriers to gender inclusion, with strategic objectives focusing on equitable access to agrifood resources and opportunities.
The event, organized by ActionAid Nigeria under its Inclusive Food Systems Project and supported by the German International Cooperation (GIZ), marks a significant step towards strengthening commitments to equitable participation across the agricultural value chain. (NAN) www.nannews.ng