From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has disclosed that 5 million Nigerians are displaced.
Yilwatda stated this at the Validation Workshop on Climate-Smart and Gender-Inclusive Financing held in Abuja on Wednesday, May 28.
“We have over 5 million Nigerians displaced across the country. That’s more than the population of most states. Yet, they are rarely at the centre of our national discourse,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) reaffirmed their commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agriculture through gender-inclusive and climate-smart financing models.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the initiative as “more than just documentation; it embodies our commitment to fostering resilience, inclusivity, and prosperity within our food systems.”
The framework, jointly developed by NADF and GIZ, seeks to shift agricultural financing from traditional credit systems to a holistic approach that includes mechanisation, extension services, digital tools, advisory support, and risk-sharing mechanisms.
“The programme is designed to ensure equitable access to these resources, particularly for smallholder farmers, women, and youth,” Kyari said.
He also stressed the importance of integrating digital tools and financial literacy to reach underserved groups.
“Inclusion demands that we think beyond traditional financial instruments. We must explore innovative approaches; leveraging digital platforms can provide tailored financial products that meet the unique needs of these groups,” the minister said.
Kyari noted that “our pursuit of food security is intrinsically linked to our capacity to provide farmers with the necessary tools and resources to adapt to climate-induced challenges.”
Referring to recent flood disasters, he added, “The urgency of integrating risk management and anticipatory action into our agricultural systems cannot be overstated.”
According to NADF Executive Secretary Mohammed Ibrahim, “Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to unlock and deploy financing that works for every Nigerian farmer, no matter where they are or what barriers they face.”
The workshop builds on a previous session held in November 2024, where stakeholders helped craft the initial draft of the financing model. This second phase is focused on validation, product refinement, and setting clear steps for implementation.
“This is more than validation—it is co-creation of a financing model that meets farmers where they are and takes them to where they deserve to be,” Ibrahim said.
NADF called on stakeholders to imagine new delivery models. “Can we bundle financing, insurance, and mechanisation into one service—pay-as-you-plant? Can digital platforms deliver microloans to women via mobile wallets?” Ibrahim asked.
Both leaders underscored the workshop’s alignment with regional agricultural blueprints like the Kampala Declaration and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026–2035 Strategy. These continental goals include boosting productivity, halving post-harvest losses, tripling intra-African agri-food trade, and empowering women and youth.
Ibrahim further called on all participants to take ownership of the process.
“Let us use today to build something real. Not a policy on paper, but a framework that lives in our farmlands and fields, our markets, and the futures of our farmers,” he said.