The President of the UNESCO‑REF, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan, accompanied by Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun, paid a formal working visit to the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs to consolidate modalities for the implementation of the Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) Programme. This high‑level engagement reflects a shared commitment to advancing food security, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
UNESCO‑REF President and Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun’s Working Visit to Honourable Minister Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim: Finalising Modalities for Food Security Through Young Women in Agriculture and National Mobilization Campaign
The President of the UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO‑REF), Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan, accompanied by Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun, paid a formal working visit to the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim, to consolidate modalities for the implementation of the Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) Programme and to advance preparations for the National 12‑Million Youth Mobilization Campaign in Nigeria. This high‑level engagement reflects a shared commitment to food security, women’s empowerment, and inclusive national development.
Diplomatic and National Context
The visit comes at a time when the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared food security a national priority, positioning agriculture as a cornerstone of economic resilience. The discussions also align with the First Lady’s Food Bank Initiative, which seeks to combat hunger and provide nutritional support to vulnerable populations. By empowering young women in agriculture and mobilizing millions of youth nationwide, UNESCO‑REF and the Ministry of Women Affairs are laying the foundation for sustainable food systems and national stability.
UNESCO‑REF’s Institutional Mandate
Prince Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan emphasized that both the YWA Programme and the 12‑Million Youth Mobilization Campaign are part of UNESCO‑REF’s broader institutional strategy to accelerate Nigeria’s attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). He noted that the Honourable Minister’s leadership ensures that these initiatives are nationally coordinated, diplomatically aligned with government priorities, and capable of mobilizing multi‑stakeholder partnerships for maximum impact.
Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun underscored the importance of integrating women’s empowerment and youth mobilization into agricultural policy frameworks, highlighting that young Nigerians represent a critical demographic for driving innovation, productivity, and resilience in the sector. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with UNESCO‑REF in expanding training opportunities, mobilizing resources, and ensuring that both initiatives reach communities across Nigeria.
Conclusion
The working visit concluded with a mutual commitment to establish joint action frameworks, strengthen institutional collaboration, and mobilize partnerships for the successful rollout of the YWA Programme and the 12‑Million Youth Mobilization Campaign. This milestone reflects Nigeria’s determination to empower young women, mobilize youth nationwide, enhance food security, and contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the SDGs.
By aligning UNESCO‑REF’s institutional mandate with the President’s food security agenda and the First Lady’s Food Bank Initiative, this collaboration demonstrates a diplomatic synergy between civil society, government, and traditional leadership, positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in youth‑driven agricultural transformation and national development.