Bank of Agriculture Reaffirms Commitment to Women Empowerment, Disburses ₦8bn to Support Female Farmers

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening women’s economic empowerment as a key strategy for boosting Nigeria’s agricultural development and economic growth.

Speaking during the commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, the bank’s Managing Director, Ayo Sotinrin, said empowering women is a strategic investment that can improve productivity, strengthen households, and enhance national food security.

He disclosed that the bank has disbursed more than ₦8 billion to women across the country through financing schemes such as the Grow and Earn More programme, Micro Agric Loan, and Micro Non-Agric Loan, designed to support female entrepreneurs and organised women groups involved in agriculture and agribusiness.

Sotinrin explained that these financial facilities help women expand their farming activities, grow agribusiness ventures, diversify livelihoods and increase household incomes. He added that the bank’s interventions are already benefiting several communities across different regions of the country, with women-led projects in maize production, cassava farming, vegetable cultivation, gari processing, poultry production and livestock fattening.

The BOA managing director also noted that the bank recently facilitated the distribution of subsidised tractors to Women Mechanisation Service Providers, aimed at expanding mechanised agriculture and closing the gender gap in access to modern farming equipment.

According to him, these initiatives are aligned with the Renewed Hope development agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises agriculture, food security and inclusive economic growth.

Sotinrin called on government agencies, the private sector and civil society organisations to intensify support for women by investing in their farms, funding their businesses and promoting female leadership in agriculture and the wider economy.

He also highlighted the importance of complementary national welfare and nutrition programmes championed by Oluremi Tinubu, noting that empowering women would contribute significantly to building a healthier, more prosperous and food-secure Nigeria.

Source: NAN