A groundbreaking partnership between the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and France aims to empower 3000 women in six Nigerian states, including Jigawa, Kano, Kwara, Anambra, Oyo, and Enugu. The initiative, dubbed the “Women in Agricultural Technical Education and Apprenticeship (WATEA) project,” seeks to equip women with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mentorship to overcome agricultural challenges.
According to Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General Partnerships for Delivery at IITA, “This is doable because these women just need to have the right information, training, mentorship, and coaching so that they overcome so many obstacles to become highly successful women in agriculture.” Dashiell emphasised that many women have not been exposed to the vast potential in agriculture, stating, “There is good money in agriculture, and you can make a respectable living, you can help empower your family when you get into agriculture. It is a way to strengthen the economic strength of your family with healthy foods.”
French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, highlighted the significance of the event, saying it demonstrates France’s top priority for Nigeria, which is dedicated to technical education for women in the agriculture sector.
