BusinessDay
Sikirat Shehu
July 29, 2025
Uchenna Idoko, executive director of the Centre for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa), has called for increased financial support and policy backing for women in agriculture and mining across Nigeria.
Speaking during a media parley themed ‘Increasing Coverage of Women’s Experiences in Sustainable Farming and Mining within Nigeria’s Energy Transition,’ held recently in Ilorin, Kwara State, Idoko emphasised the urgent need to address economic disparities faced by women in these sectors.
Established in 2011, CGE Africa focuses on research, advocacy, and advisory services aimed at reducing economic inequality and enhancing financial security for women.
The organisation envisions an Africa where economic systems are gender-aware and inclusive, with diverse leadership driving gender equality in economic policies and practices.
Idoko highlighted the critical role women play in food production and natural resource management. However, she noted that despite their contributions, women face multiple barriers such as insecure land tenure, limited access to agricultural inputs, climate change vulnerabilities, exclusion from decision-making, and occupational hazards in small-scale mining and farming.

She said: “Women produce 60 percent of Nigeria’s food but are represented in only 20 percent of climate reports, according to the FAO 2023 report. “This training is vital for media practitioners to amplify the voices of women farmers and miners and increase reportage on their challenges and contributions.”
Idoko, stressed the need for women’s access to land, financial resources, and education on climate adaptation. “We are advocating for sustainable agriculture and mining for women in Nigeria. The major issues are lack of land rights and inadequate funding. If women are given land rights, it would go a long way in empowering them.
“Without finance, you cannot practice proper farming or mining. Government and stakeholders must begin to see women as key contributors to economic growth and livelihood.”

She called for legal frameworks and policy reforms that promote equal access to resources and opportunities, saying “livelihood opportunities exist across various sectors, including the green economy, which encompasses agriculture.
“Though women dominate household farming, they often occupy the lowest rungs of the value chain. To climb to leadership levels, we must dismantle patriarchal systems that limit women’s upward mobility.”

She urged for the recognition of women’s dual roles in reproductive and economic spheres.
“Government must reward women’s contributions and acknowledge their multitasking roles. Women often work in the informal, or shadow, economy – without them, society would struggle to function. Many professionals rely on women behind the scenes to keep things moving.”
Idoko called for continuous training and retraining to empower women, and encouraged them to remain resilient.
“I urge women to keep building a better future for the young girls coming after us. Even when we are not offered a seat at the table, we must carry our own chair and sit. We should continue creating meaningful change until we are heard.”
“Women naturally play voluntary roles, yet are not given equal ground with their male counterparts. What we need is equality of opportunity, not necessarily equal power. If every sector ensures equal access to education and economic opportunities, women will rise. Let us stay resilient, purposeful, and prayerful.”

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