First Lady urges youth engagement in agriculture to strengthen Nigeria’s food security

…meets with state First Ladies on Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) programs

By Kunle Sanni

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for increased youth engagement in agriculture as a vital step toward strengthening Nigeria’s food security. She made this appeal during a meeting with State First Ladies, who serve as State Coordinators for the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

In her remarks, the First Lady stressed the importance of channeling the energy of young Nigerians into productive endeavors like agriculture, which she sees as a key contributor to the nation’s food security.

“If our young ones are engaged in farming, it will have a positive impact as they contribute to feeding the nation and enhancing food security,” she stated.

Senator Tinubu also encouraged women to grow crops in their backyards, explaining that home gardening promotes healthy eating and ensures a steady food supply. She shared her own experience with home farming, highlighting the benefits of harvesting organic foods for her family. She urged the wives of state governors to promote home-grown foods among their citizens.

The First Lady also announced RHI’s partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to support home farming efforts. As part of this initiative, the RHI #EveryHomeAGarden competition is nearing its conclusion, with three entries shortlisted from various states. She revealed that the competition winner will be announced in December.

Reflecting the Tinubu administration’s commitment to reducing food insecurity, Senator Tinubu said the RHI is helping women engage in agriculture to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are about to unveil the #EveryHomeAGarden competition winner in December. This initiative has inspired many people to start their own gardens,” she noted.

Senator Tinubu also highlighted the success of similar initiatives in Lagos, such as the Spelling Bee and the “One Day Governor” program, which encouraged public school students to excel academically. “Just like when I was teaching, we pushed our students to excel, and they did. Many even achieved first-class degrees,” she added.

She encouraged Nigerians to support the less privileged by adopting someone to care for, pointing to the food bank project spearheaded by the Vice President’s wife, Hajia Nana Shettima. Supported by private companies like BUA, the initiative has reached seven states so far, with plans to cover all 36 states in the coming years.

The First Lady outlined other RHI initiatives, including scholarship and bursary awards for underprivileged Nigerian students, the Infrastructure Renewal Project, Early Childhood Development Programme, Women and Young Farmers Support Programme, Fertilizer Distribution, and the Young Farmers Club.

During the meeting, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security announced its collaboration with the RHI. Minister of State Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi shared that the ministry is working with RHI to fund agricultural projects for women and youth, aiming to enhance food production and combat food insecurity across the nation.

Under the Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP), the ministry will provide N68 million to each state for four agricultural initiatives. The funds will be allocated with a focus on empowering women and young men farmers, with a 60:40 ratio in favor of women.

“We are partnering with the RHI to reach all states through the wives of governors,” Sabi explained.

The ministry’s four project areas include training and empowerment for women farmers, food processing for food security, support for young farmers, and promoting the #EveryHomeAGarden initiative.

“Even small home gardens contribute to food security by ensuring families have a steady supply, reducing the demand for market-bought food,” he said.

Sabi added that funds will soon be disbursed to states, with each state coordinator managing the projects locally. “We’re nearly ready; this partnership isn’t a one-time effort but part of a sustainable plan for food security,” he emphasized.

The meeting took place in the Conference Room of the Office of the First Lady at the State House in Abuja and included the introduction of Mrs. Helen Eno-Obareki as the new First Lady Designate of Akwa Ibom State. Mrs. Eno-Obareki is the daughter of the late Pastor Patience Eno, the previous First Lady, who passed away in September.

In tribute, the gathering observed a minute of silence for the late Pastor Patience Eno and the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja.