The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to improve women’s access to agricultural financing and expand their participation across the agricultural value chain.

Speaking after the signing ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s priority of strengthening agriculture and ensuring food security while addressing one of the biggest challenges confronting women farmers limited access to finance.

She noted that although women play a vital role in Nigeria’s agro-food system, many remain smallholder farmers because they lack the financial support needed to scale up their businesses.

“The purpose of this MoU between the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Bank of Agriculture is to bridge the gap in access to finance. That is where women need critical intervention. We are already on the farms, but many women are not making enough because they are unable to access the support they need,” the minister said.

According to her, improved access to finance will enable women to transition from subsistence farming to large-scale agribusiness, creating a new generation of agro-entrepreneurs and successful women-owned agricultural enterprises.

She explained that the partnership will be implemented through the Women Agro-Value Expansion (WAVE) programme, which is designed to support women across different segments of the agricultural value chain.

The minister said the programme goes beyond mechanised farming, allowing beneficiaries to choose opportunities that best suit their interests and capacity, including acquiring more farmland, investing in processing, or adopting modern farming technologies.

“The programme gives women the opportunity to choose their path to prosperity. It is not just about mechanised farming; it also provides access to education, digital tools and other enablers that will help women grow sustainable agricultural businesses,” she added.

She disclosed that about 33,000 women have already expressed interest in the WAVE programme, which was launched by President Bola Tinubu last year, adding that the initiative is already recording positive results.

Managing Director of BOA, Ayo Sotinrin, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering women in agriculture through affordable financing, mechanisation and improved farming inputs, saying the initiative will boost productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s food security…..