Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria and other stakeholders, has validated the Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation for Nigeria (NGPAST).
The policy also includes a 2025–2030 Strategic Plan of Action aimed at promoting gender equity, inclusivity, and food security across the country.
The initiative is expected to enhance food security and restructure Nigeria’s agrifood systems to be more gender-responsive and resilient.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari described the policy as a practical framework designed to ensure equitable access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making for both women and men in the agricultural sector.
Kyari stated that “the initiative represents a major milestone in ongoing reforms to build a more inclusive, productive, and sustainable agricultural sector.”
He noted that agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s national priorities, contributing significantly to food security, employment, and economic growth.
Kyari warned that persistent gender disparities continue to limit full participation, particularly among women who play critical roles across the agrifood value chain.
According to him, “the policy will strengthen the integration of gender-responsive approaches across agricultural programmes and interventions, which is one of the key to unlocking the full potential of the sector.”
The Minister acknowledged the support of development partners, including ActionAid Nigeria, AGRA, and GIZ, for their contributions to the development of the policy.
Kyari urged all relevant institutions and stakeholders to integrate the policy into their plans, programmes, and budgets, adding that the ministry would ensure strong monitoring and accountability mechanisms to deliver measurable results.
He was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi at the event.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said; “the ministry’s interventions align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the agriculture sector.”
He said that “one of the ministry’s flagship initiatives is the development of a Standard Framework for Ease of Doing Agriculture and Food Security, with a strong emphasis on inclusiveness for youth and women across agricultural ecosystems.”
Senator Abdullahi also stated that, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the ministry has been promoting the “Every Home a Garden” initiative, alongside home economics and nutrition knowledge transfer programmes implemented at state and local government levels under the Renewed Hope Initiative to achieve food and nutrition security.
According to him, “flagship interventions such as the Renewed Hope Mechanization Programme have prioritized inclusivity, with women farmers among the first set of beneficiaries.”
He added that the Renewed Hope Cooperative Revamp Programme is also designed to expand access to agricultural support services for youth, women, and smallholder farmers nationwide.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi stated that the policy would help address key challenges affecting gender inclusion and productivity in the agricultural sector.
Ogunbiyi noted that the policy would strengthen coordination, improve access to inputs, and enhance the participation of vulnerable groups in agribusiness.
He was represented by the Director, Department of Farm Input Support Services, Abana Waziri Abba.
In attendance were representatives of ActionAid Nigeria, AGRA, GIZ, the Governors’ Forum, and other key stakeholders.
The highlight of the event was the launch of the Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation for Nigeria (NGPAST) and its Strategic Plan of Action for 2025–2030 document.
