Through ActionAid’s Scaling Up of Public Investments in Agriculture (SUPIA II) project, approximately 2,913 smallholder women farmers have gained access to vital agricultural services from July 2022 to December 2025.
Deputy Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs. Suwaiba Dankabo, shared this information during the SUPIA II project learning meeting in Abuja, held to celebrate the project’s conclusion.
Dankabo explained that the project, carried out by ActionAid Nigeria and ActionAid International, aimed to increase public investments in agriculture by reinforcing political and budgetary commitments.
The initiative is focused on promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural transformation at the state, national, and continental levels, with an emphasis on enhancing the productivity, livelihoods, and overall well-being of smallholder women farmers.
She noted that the project achieved its goals through targeted advocacy for increased, inclusive, and gender-responsive public investment in agriculture.
The project was implemented at the national level and in eight key states of Bauchi, Gombe, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Ebonyi, Delta, and the Federal Capital Territory, while also engaging with regional and continental platforms to influence wider policy processes.
“This multi-level engagement allowed the project to produce strong evidence, enhance policy dialogue, and establish strategic partnerships with key institutions and stakeholders,” she stated.
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Dankabo highlighted several accomplishments, including increased agricultural budgets at both national and state levels, the introduction of new budget lines to bolster food and nutrition security, and improved access to agricultural services for the 2,913 smallholder women farmers.
These achievements have led to greater productivity and improved livelihoods, she noted.
Dankabo praised government officials, donor partners, and civil society organizations for their dedication to enhancing public investment in agriculture and promoting inclusive, sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria and across Africa.
She emphasized that the meeting was an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned, share best practices, and identify ways to sustain and expand the successes of the SUPIA II project.
“It is also a moment to reaffirm our collective responsibility to ensure that public investments yield tangible and equitable benefits, particularly for women, youth, and persons with disabilities,” she added.
The International Projects Manager at ActionAid International, Ms. Constance Okoke, also spoke, stating that the project helped farmers throughout Africa gain a better understanding of agricultural policies and public investment processes.
Okoke mentioned that the initiative strengthened advocacy efforts for public financing in agriculture.
