Outcome NGA_D_2.2

By 2027, Nigeria benefits from improved food security and nutrition, sustainable food systems, and natural resources management

A significant focus has been placed on enhancing the gender governance architecture to ensure gender accountability across both government and private sectors. This coordinated approach integrates gender equality into policies and programs, fostering sustainable development while addressing systemic inequalities. UN Women has played a pivotal role in scaling up the capacities of women-owned and women-led businesses across the country. In Kaduna State, 200 women received business and economic kits to support their ventures amidst challenging economic conditions. Additionally, under the affirmative procurement initiative, 183 women were trained—both virtually and in person—to help them navigate procurement opportunities effectively. In Bauchi State, women in the rice value chain were provided with processing machines, boosting their productivity in two communities. In Bayelsa State, rural women have benefited from modern food processing technology, and plans are underway to distribute fertilizers and cassava stems to 300 women farmers whose livelihoods were devastated by the 2024 floods. A new processing center, developed in partnership with the Bayelsa Government, is set to launch in January 2025. Meanwhile, in Ebonyi State, 250 rural women farmers received rice seeds and fertilizers, enhancing food security and economic resilience in the region.

By 2027, Nigeria benefits from improved food security and nutrition, sustainable food systems, and natural resources management

In 2023, the CO faced limitations in implementing interventions for a particular indicator due to constrained resources. Despite this challenge, the CO actively engaged with various donors to mobilize funds for the agriculture sector. Notably, a comprehensive climate-smart agriculture program was developed in collaboration with the African Development Bank, which is currently being considered as a potential donor. Recognizing the government's role as a regulator, the CO worked at both national and sub-national levels to advocate for affirmative procurement reforms. At the national level, technical support was provided to develop Nigeria's inaugural Women Economic Empowerment Policy. This policy, including affirmative procurement as a key driver of economic empowerment, received approval from the president. A high-level advisory council, with UN Women as the secretariat, was established. Additionally, at the subnational level, the Kaduna State Government drafted an affirmative procurement policy with a specific quota for women-owned businesses. In Lagos State, gender-responsive procurement clauses were included in procurement regulations and guidelines. However, approval of these documents is pending with the respective state governors, with delays attributed to the general elections and changes in government in 2023. Furthermore, the CO conducted gender-responsive assessments of the mining and maritime sectors in Nigeria, aiming to identify specific gender lens policies for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in these sectors. Additionally, the CO developed project documents focusing on specific agriculture value chains showing significant potential for advancing gender equality and empowering women in agriculture. These initiatives are strategically designed to maximize their positive impact. Lastly, in response to the removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria and the growing demand for alternative energy sources, the CO initiated a successful pilot program on biogas. There is now interest from potential donors willing to support the scaling up of this initiative in 2024.

By 2027, Nigeria benefits from improved food security and nutrition, sustainable food systems, and natural resources management

Over 3,600 direct and 12, 500 indirect rural women beneficiaries whom are members of 47 women smallholder farmer cooperatives and agribusiness groups have their capacity enhanced in modern rice production and processing in Ebonyi and Bauchi states through improved Smart Climate Agricultural (CSA) production systems including suitable seeds that are both high yielding and early maturing, multiple cropping in the lowlands, improved technology to reduce post-harvest losses, and creating access to better market opportunities and income. 500 women entrepreneurs from 6 women cooperatives in Niger State have their capacity enhanced, improved skills and technologies for shea butter processing into high quality soaps and other varieties of cosmetics, branding of products for local and international markets standards. UN Women also upgraded a shea butter processing facility in Boso LGA of Niger state providing technical skills for over 3,000 women shea butter processors and increasing their incomes. 300 women farmers in Bayelsa were provided withn modern farm tools and cassava stems to enable them increase their agricultural production after the disasters from floods in the state. In 2025, UN Women through the core funds supported a low-cost biogas production for rural women initiative which was piloted in 5 different states with different socio-economic and climate conditions with great transformative results. 750 rural women in target communities have adopted low-cost biogas for clean cooking-which has reduced over dependence on firewood and solid biomass in Bauchi, Niger, Ebonyi, and FCT. Capacity of 1850 rural women enhanced and able to effectively use and maintain the low-cost biogas device. Capacity of 120 Artisans, 60 Agric-extension services providers enhanced and providing support for installation, maintenance of biogas stoves, handling of bio-slurry and other good practices in the target communities. The initiative has integrated the Low-cost biogas technology into the farming and related rural production systems and adaptation of livestock and vegetable farming to boast their biogas production, t hrough the establishment of kitchen gardens for over 50% of low-cost biogas beneficiaries providing foods and vegetables for their immediate need. The project was able to organize the beneficiaries into women cooperatives providing opportunity for access to credits and other administrative support including participation in governance and decision making at local level. UN Women also supported policies and framework that will enhanced women's share and protection for their economic investment. Under the Care Economy portfolio, UN Women supported national and sub national care policy reform, including the dissemination of Nigeria’s first nationally representative Time Use Survey in Kaduna, Borno, Cross River, and Lagos States in partnership with the National Bureau of Statistics, UNICEF, and the International Labour Organization. The survey generated critical evidence on the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work borne by women and girls, informing policy advocacy and planning, and culminated in the 2025 International Day of Care and Support commemoration in Abuja, reaffirming multi-stakeholder commitment to a fair and inclusive care economy in Nigeria. UN Women leveraged its triple mandate to integrate gender equality into Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 review by providing normative guidance aligned with global climate and gender frameworks, engaging and supporting government through the National Council on Climate Change, coordinating UN system and development partner inputs through the UNDP led NDC Technical Working Group ( (FAO, IFAD, ILO, IOM, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNWOMEN, WFP and WHO) and the Climate Change Development Partners Group, and delivering operational support through sector specific gender analysis, technical consultations, and dedicated consultants. This integrated approach resulted in a standalone gender section and gender mainstreamed actions across all seven NDC sectors, strengthening the evidence base and institutionalizing gender equality within Nigeria’s national climate commitments. During the reporting year, UN Women strengthened relevant institutions through technical and funding support for the development of policies to support gender equality and women’s empowerment through the development of policies on Affirmative Procurement, Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting, Gender Responsive Low-Carbon Mobility Toolkit, Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy and Action Plan. UN Women also supported the conduct of the National Time Use Survey (TUS), Gender Equality Country Profile. These policies are currently supporting Nigeria in mainstreaming of gender considerations in the national strategy for development of statistics across level of governance.