Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming, was invited by the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) and UN Women to represent Cross River State at the National Workshop on Women in Nigeria’s Cassava Value Chain, held in Abuja.
The two-day high-level workshop brought together women leaders, government representatives, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to explore ways to enhance women’s participation, leadership, and access to opportunities in the cassava value chain.
The event opened with welcome remarks and goodwill messages from the UN Women Country Representative, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and development partners including NEXIM Bank and GIZ. Speakers emphasized the critical role women play in advancing food security and driving agricultural innovation in Nigeria.
A key highlight of the first day was the presentation of survey findings by *Dr. William Agyei Manu*, which provided valuable insights into women’s roles, challenges, and opportunities within Nigeria’s cassava sector. This was followed by engaging discussions on gender-responsive agricultural policies, access to finance, and pathways for inclusive growth.
During the panel session titled “Women at the Heart of the Cassava Value Chain,” participants heard inspiring stories from women processors, cooperatives, and farmers who are leading change in their communities. UN Women also presented its Gender-Responsive, Climate-Resilient Agriculture Model, demonstrating how sustainable and inclusive approaches can transform the cassava value chain across West Africa.
The second day focused on action-oriented dialogues around unlocking markets and finance for women entrepreneurs. Representatives from the Bank of Agriculture GIZ, NEXIM, OLAM, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) shared practical strategies for supporting women-owned agribusinesses and strengthening policy frameworks for growth.
Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke’s participation underscored Cross River State’s commitment to gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive agricultural development. Her representation highlighted the importance of ensuring that women farmers, processors, and entrepreneurs are fully integrated into value chains and supported to thrive.
As she continues to champion women’s participation in agriculture, Utibe-Abasi affirms that empowering women in the cassava value chain is not only essential for achieving food security but also for building resilient, sustainable communities across Nigeria.
