By Faridat Salifu
A new Urban Agriculture Training Programme has been launched in Lagos to empower women with practical farming skills and generate sustainable income opportunities.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Presidency, UNESCO REF, and the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Lagos State Chapter.
Barr. Yejide Ogundipe, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Food Security, said the programme recognises women as vital contributors to Nigeria’s food security and economic growth.
Titled “Seed of Empowerment: Growing Women in Lagos,” the training equips participants with tools, knowledge, and resources to succeed in urban agriculture.
The programme integrates practical support, with participants receiving seeds to immediately apply their learning and begin farming.
Ogundipe noted that the initiative links with the National Agricultural Technology Innovation Policy (NATIP) and the ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund under the Produce for Lagos Programme.
The structured approach ensures participants earn a steady income every two to three weeks, translating skills into tangible financial stability for households.
Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, President of UNESCO REF, emphasised that the programme focuses on capacity building, stating it provides long-term empowerment rather than temporary assistance.
POWA Lagos Chairperson Risqat Jimoh said the initiative strengthens communities by linking women’s training to family wellbeing and local food security.
Each participant also receives a Tier 2 certificate, guaranteeing subsidised entry for their children into future agricultural programmes, creating intergenerational benefits.
The programme, supported by partners including NIHORT, IAR&T, The Lichfield, Op3n Labs USA, and Women’s Space USA, is designed to foster a sustainable model for women-led agribusiness in Lagos.
A participant, Aisha Sanni, described the initiative as an alternative income source, noting that it allows her to save for her youth service year and future plans.
Officials maintained that empowering women economically not only strengthens households but also reduces social vulnerabilities and contributes to broader food security goals in the state.