The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Yakubu Gowon University Abuja, and the Italian Government represented by Frontera Verde Group have signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a pilot phase of agro-industrial centres for Women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The initiative under the Women Agro Value Expansion (WAVE) framework is designed to expand access to socio-economic opportunities for women, families, and communities while strengthening livelihoods and promoting inclusive growth.
The MoU covers women’s agro-estates for agro-processing, farming and agro-production for national food security, women’s empowerment, and national development within a Partnership for Growth mode
The agreement follows a courtesy visit to the minister, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, in Abuja by a Frontera Verde delegation led by its Chairman, Aytac Demirbas, alongside Vice Chairman, Rabia Tekince, and a representative of MCM Investment Fund for Sustainable Projects, Joao Merolla.
The MoU, witnessed by the Minister, was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Nko Esuabana, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi on behalf of the university; and Frontera Verde executives Aytac Demirbas and Rabia Tekince.
At full implementation, the partnership will establish Agro Industrial Centers in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with the pilot phase scheduled to commence at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.
The centers will function as platforms for socio-economic empowerment, developed as a joint venture between the Governments of Nigeria and Frontera Verde Group.
Aligned with the Presidential Declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, the initiative is positioned to advance the care economy, enhance security, and deepen sustainable development outcomes nationwide.
