Gender inequality remains a significant challenge across Africa, impacting economic development and food security. Addressing these disparities is crucial for achieving sustainable progress. In response to this, Sahel Consulting, Agriculture, and Nutrition Limited, along with other stakeholders, gathered at the 2024 Gender and Inclusion Summit in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, in September. This summit, the third since its inception in 2020, provided a platform for meaningful dialogue on the relationship between gender inequality and poverty within Nigeria’s development context. It also highlighted the urgency of investing in the capacities of frontline workers, policy development, and implementing gender-inclusive strategies tailored specifically to Nigeria and Africa at large.
The 2024 Gender and Inclusion Summit served as a critical forum for discussions on the theme: “Reimagining Gender-Inclusive Pathways and Partnerships for Poverty Reduction.” The summit emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement and developing gender-responsive solutions to address poverty across Africa. It underscored the need for stronger gender-responsive agriculture policies, particularly in light of climate change, which disproportionately affects women farmers.
Women smallholder farmers are pivotal to the African economy, contributing significantly to food security, job creation, and poverty alleviation. However, these women face unique challenges, exacerbated by climate change, such as disrupted supply chains, rising operational costs, and limited access to finance and resources.
An associate partner at Sahel Consulting and a summit fellow, Aisha Hadejia presented on “Enhancing Institutional Capacity for Inclusive Food System Transformation.” She discussed Nigeria’s National Gender Policy in Agriculture (NGPA), introduced in 2019 to promote gender equality and reduce the gender gap in the agricultural sector. However, she highlighted ongoing disparities, particularly in Adamawa State, where many women smallholder farmers remain unaware of the policy. This lack of awareness, coupled with systemic inefficiencies, hampers women’s contributions to rural development, food security, and agricultural productivity, ultimately undermining Nigeria’s potential for sustainable agricultural growth.
A senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Chinwoke Clara Ifeanyi explored the complexities that climate change introduces to agriculture. She emphasised that climate change is not gender-neutral; it disproportionately affects the over 60 per cent of women engaged in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Erratic rainfall patterns disrupt planting schedules, leading to seed failures and crop losses. Women farmers also face rising pest and disease outbreaks, increasing operational risks and costs. Dr. Ifeanyi expressed concern over the lack of proactive measures by the government and relevant stakeholders to address these challenges.
An associate professor at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Dr. Patricia Ukegbu focused on the nutrition dimension, highlighting gaps in Nigeria’s Food and Nutrition Policy (NPFN, 2016). While the policy targets malnutrition among children under five and women of reproductive age, it neglects the nutritional needs of adolescent girls. She stressed that addressing adolescent nutrition is critical to breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and fostering long-term socioeconomic development.
Sahel Consulting’s representatives, including their senior manager of human resources, participated in strategic discussions emphasizing the consultancy’s role in developing gender-sensitive agricultural programs. A key focus of Sahel’s work is empowering youth and women by equipping them with skills to navigate and mitigate the impacts of climate change on their agribusinesses.
A senior programme analyst and gender lead for the Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN) programme at Sahel Consulting, Helen Okotie highlighted the importance of agricultural financing in closing the gender gap. She advocated for the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) model as an effective tool for women farmers, who often lack access to formal credit facilities. The ALDDN program has integrated over 63,000 smallholder dairy farmers across seven northern Nigerian states. Women beneficiaries of the VSLA approach have reported improved living standards and incomes, demonstrating the potential for such models to support women’s economic empowerment and poverty reduction, particularly in rural communities.
To address the financing gap, Hadejia recommended that state-level actors actively promote the NGPA’s gender-responsive provisions. She emphasised the need for securing additional funding for programs that advocate for gender equity and enhance rural women’s leadership skills. Equipping women’s groups with advocacy tools can empower rural women farmers to participate in decision-making processes and strengthen their livelihoods.
“Financial inclusion is critical in bridging the gender gap and empowering women,” Aisha noted. “But beyond finance, we must push for technological solutions to close the gender divide. Access to the internet and digital skills can open up opportunities for women to start businesses, expand markets, find better jobs, and access education, health, and financial services. Additionally, investing in climate-smart technologies and tailored strategies to address vulnerabilities is crucial for effective adaptation.”
The summit also emphasised the importance of gender-sensitive innovations in agriculture. Digital tools like the rice crop manager (RCM) can help women optimise fertiliser use and improve crop yields. Initiatives like Women in Agriculture programmes are vital in supporting female farmers to scale their businesses and contribute to national food security.
Achieving meaningful progress in gender equality and sustainable agriculture requires collaboration among organisations, agricultural stakeholders, and government bodies. The success stories of women-led farmer groups and innovative agricultural techniques highlight the positive steps toward closing the gender gap in agriculture. The summit reinforced the need for continued efforts to develop inclusive, gender-responsive frameworks that empower women and drive sustainable agricultural transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
Abantlehe, a communications expert for Sahel Consulting, Agriculture and Nutrition Limited, wrote in from Abuja.
