From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
Nigeria has finalized a nationwide consultation process to revise its National Gender Policy in Agriculture, a critical step toward a new framework designed to close gender gaps in the sector and bolster national food security.
The review, led by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, was supported by development partners including the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the German Development Agency (GIZ), and CARE International.
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The final zonal review for the Northeast was held Tuesday in Gombe, concluding a process that engaged all six geopolitical zones since July. A national validation session is now scheduled for 20th October in Abuja, after which the policy will be presented to the Federal Executive Council and the National Council on Agriculture for adoption.
According to the team, the 2025–2030 policy review aims to directly address barriers that limit the productivity of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in agriculture. Speaking during the meeting, Blessing Akhile, Food and Agriculture Program Adivisor, ActionAid Nigeria, stated that the forum is a vital opportunity to ensure that the voices of smallholder women farmers, young people, and persons with disabilities are meaningfully captured in shaping a more inclusive and equitable food system.
“With the insights and commitment of everyone here, I am confident that this review process will deliver a stronger, more inclusive policy that responds to vulnerable groups, while enhancing fair participation in agriculture for inclusive food systems and national development,” She said.
Meanwhile, the representative of AGRA, Esther Ibrahim said, “For us at AGRA, we know gender is critical for food systems transformation. Just recently in September, AGRA hosted the African Food Systems event in Dakar, where the focus was on youth. You see how important this is for us. Our role is to ensure that the policy is implemented in the states where we work, so that every person is carried along”.
Despite being the nation’s largest employer, Nigeria’s agricultural sector is hampered by unequal access to land, financing, and markets a disadvantages that disproportionately affect women. However, the National Consultant for the policy review, Nkiruka Stella Okonkwo assured that the revised policy is seeking to strengthen agricultural value chains and create more equitable opportunities for the marginalized groups.
She said, “Now in 2025, we are reviewing the gender policy to make sure it reflects the current realities of Nigerian stakeholders in agriculture and that no category of stakeholder is left behind. The revised version focuses on four categories: men in agriculture, women in agriculture, young people, and persons with disabilities. Most policies fail because of top-down approaches. This time, we used consultations, surveys, and participation by farmers and persons with disabilities. Commissioners are part of the process from the start so that when implementation begins, we avoid mistakes,” She added.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Kachallah Zara Damatru said, “We recognize the critical role that agriculture plays in driving economic growth, food security, and poverty reduction in Nigeria. We also acknowledge the disproportionate challenges faced by women and other marginalized groups in accessing resources, opportunities and decision-making processes in agriculture.
She tasked participants at the meeting saying, “your participation and contributions are invaluable to the success of this forum. Your expertise, perspective, and experiences will shape the future of the gender policy in agriculture, ensuring that our efforts are inclusive, effective, and sustainable”.
With the zonal phase completed, the Gombe state Commissioner of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr Barnabas Malle, expressed optimism that the revised policy will reshape the food systems and deliver tangible benefits not just to Gombe, but the country in general.
He said, “The new policy will complement efforts of the Gombe state governor. Once finalized, it will be domesticated and implemented in Gombe State,” he assured.
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