The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has disbursed over ₦8 billion in loans to female farmers and women entrepreneurs through its support programmes to help women expand their farms and businesses, increase food production, and strengthen Nigeria’s economy.
The bank disclosed this as women across the world mark International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, highlighting its commitment to supporting women in agriculture and agribusiness through accessible financing and targeted empowerment schemes.
According to the Managing Director of BOA, Ayo Sotinrin, investing in women farmers and entrepreneurs is a practical economic strategy that produces direct benefits for households, communities, and national food production.
“Empowering a woman is one of the most strategic investments we can make in Nigeria’s economy. When we give our resources, mentorship, and trust to women, we gain a multiplier effect of productivity that uplifts households, strengthens communities, and advances national food security,” Sotinrin said.
He explained that many women play critical roles across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, from crop production and food processing to marketing and small-scale agribusiness. Providing them with access to finance helps them scale their operations, improve productivity, and create more income opportunities.
A statement signed by BOA’s Team Lead, Corporate Communication, Ruth Didam, noted that the bank’s interventions support the Federal Government’s broader agricultural and economic development agenda.
The bank added that its financing windows, including the Grow and Earn More (GEM) scheme and the Micro Agric Loan programme, have been structured to reach women farmers and entrepreneurs, particularly those operating at the grassroots level.
Several women-led farming and processing groups have already benefited from the support.
They include the Unity Farmers Group involved in maize production and the Araokanmi Farmers Group engaged in gari processing in the South West. In the South East, the Uyanwanne MPCS focuses on cassava farming while the Chianyinadindu Women Group operates in vegetable production.
In the North West, Badna Women MPCS and Gbagyi Women MPCS are participating in mixed farming activities with support from the bank.
Beyond credit access, BOA also disclosed that it recently facilitated the acquisition of subsidised tractors for Women Mechanisation Service Providers to improve access to modern farming equipment.
The bank said the initiative aims to reduce the gender gap in mechanised agriculture while enabling women farmers to increase productivity and expand their agricultural enterprises.
