The Support to Women Entrepreneurs in the Agrifood Sector in Nigeria (SWEAN) held its official project close-out ceremony on 19 June at IITA headquarters in Ibadan. IITA–CGIAR and partners implemented the two-year project in two states—Oyo and Kaduna—to empower women in agriculture.
The ceremony, moderated by SWEAN Project Coordinator Zainatou Soré, started with a documentary showcasing community training carried out in Zaria, Kaduna State and Ibadan, Oyo State, during the period of the project. Two beneficiaries of the training Ebun Feludu from Oyo State, and Aishatu Abdulkarim from Kaduna State, shared testimonies of how the training helped them set up and grow their businesses.
IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery Kenton Dashiell, during the ceremony, said the SWEAN project has efficiently practiced partnership and delivery in the last two years. He also appreciated partners’ involvement while emphasizing that partnership played a vital role in the project’s success. “The project trained and empowered 1063 women who now have stronger businesses in Ibadan and Zaria. We should work more with our partners in the future,” he said.
Oyo State Director of Agricultural Extension Ibukun Iroko, representing the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture in Oyo State, appreciated IITA for involving the State’s women in the SWEAN project. She noted that the training had empowered women to increase food supply, register new businesses, and reduce the bottlenecks affecting women in the State.
Representing the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture, Kaduna State, Mohammed Mainasibi, Permanent Secretary to the Commissioner, also appreciated IITA and sponsors for choosing Kaduna as one of the locations to implement the project. He said that the Kaduna State government would not relent in its efforts toward supporting women in agribusiness. The Honorable Commissioner for Education in Kaduna, Hon. Hajia Halima Lawal also emphasized that Kaduna State has significantly benefitted from the SWEAN project, which is in line with the reform plans in the State. “We would like to be part of other IITA projects,” she said.
At the ceremony, Adebowale Akande, Special Adviser to Oyo State Government on Agribusiness and Head of Mechanization and Agribusiness at IITA, said SWEAN resonates with the goal of Oyo State to expand the economy through agribusiness. He added that sustainability in agribusiness is critical, and the project has undoubtedly proven that women can achieve this.
Sonia Darracq, Regional Agriculture Counsellor for the French Embassy in six West African Countries, highlighted the project’s achievements and next steps. A major achievement she noted was that the French Minister of Foreign Affairs selected SWEAN as one of the best in 2022, from over a hundred projects. Darracq added that a new two-year project proposal would be submitted in October to involve four countries: Benin Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Republic of Niger.
Closing the ceremony, Soré recognized and appreciated key collaborators of the project. She also lauded participants for their time and active engagement.
Contributed by Favour Eleta
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