In a bold move to ensure inclusive climate governance, women farmers in Osun State have called for active participation in the formulation and implementation of the state’s Climate Action Plan.
The demand was made recently during a one-day workshop held at Osogbo by the Advocates for Sustainable and Inclusive Community Development (ASICD), with support from Urgent Action Fund Africa.
The event convened key stakeholders including women farmers, civil society organisations, academics, and government representatives, with the aim of amplifying rural women’s voices in climate discourse and shaping an inclusive response to the climate crisis.
“No Climate Justice Without Gender Inclusion”
Executive Director of ASICD, Chioma Otugo, stressed the urgency of integrating women’s perspectives in climate policies. “This workshop is timely and necessary because women must not be excluded from climate policy decisions that directly affect their livelihoods,” she said. Otugo emphasized that ASICD’s mission is to ensure that women farmers are not sidelined in critical policy development that affects food security and environmental sustainability.
A keynote presentation titled “Economic Opportunities in the Agricultural Value Chain in Osun State” laid the groundwork for participatory group sessions, during which women shared personal stories of climate impact and proposed strategies for adaptation.
Government Officials Back Inclusive Policy
The Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, represented by Mr. Ogunleye Samuel, Director of Climate Change and Renewable Energy, commended the inclusive approach. “A sustainable climate action plan cannot be developed in isolation. It must incorporate the experiences, needs, and aspirations of every segment of society—especially women farmers who account for over 75% of smallholder farmers in Nigeria,” Ogunleye stated.
He highlighted persistent challenges such as insecure land tenure, limited access to financing, poor market connectivity, and exposure to climate-related losses. “Women’s participation is not just about being heard; it’s about being influential,” he said, affirming the state’s commitment to inclusive policy-making.
Ministries and Agencies Support the Call
The Ministry of Innovation, Science, Technology and Digital Economy, through Deputy Director Bunmi Adeloye, noted the indispensable role of women in combating climate change. “Women are on the frontlines of climate impact. Their insights are indispensable,” she said.
Dr. Omolola Adeagbo from the Ministry of Health echoed this, noting that women’s experiences can shape more practical, health-conscious climate policies. Mrs. Lola Adewale, Director of Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Women Affairs, added that climate action must be inclusive to be truly effective, calling for direct policy input from rural women.
Civil Society and Export Council Step In
Civil society actors and trade agencies also voiced support. Mr. Abioye Babatunde of the SHEAD Centre described women as vital decision-makers. “A climate policy that excludes them will be flawed from inception,” he warned.
Mr. Opeyemi Ajala, representing the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), encouraged women farmers to register under the agency’s “Women in Export” initiative to benefit from export-focused support services. “NEPC is here to help. There are many support services available, and you are eligible,” he assured.
Realities from the Frontlines
Heart-wrenching stories from women farmers painted a vivid picture of climate change’s toll on agriculture. Chief (Mrs.) Janet Olayemi praised the state’s efforts in curbing farmer-herder conflicts, noting improvements under past and current administrations.
However, the testimony of Alhaja Salami Olubukola Bamidele, a seasoned mechanised farmer, laid bare the financial and environmental challenges. “Last year, I lost millions of Naira due to climate-related crop failure. My 30 acres of rice yielded only 300 kilograms; 20 acres of maize gave just 800 kilograms due to insufficient rainfall,” she lamented.
Insecurity also loomed large. “I lost five acres of maize to cattle grazing last year,” Salami recounted, explaining how local security efforts by the Amotekun corps helped secure compensation. She now plans to deploy vigilantes full-time to protect her farm.
Her experience underscored a broader list of grievances shared by attendees: lack of access to climate-smart tools, credit barriers, gender discrimination, dwindling soil fertility, and youth labour shortages due to migration and cybercrime.
Toward a Gender-Inclusive Climate Policy
The workshop ended with a communique summarising 17 key recommendations to be submitted to the state government. Among them: provision of low-interest loans, improved access to irrigation, climate-friendly pesticides, storage facilities, female-focused extension services, and dedicated platforms for women’s involvement in policy processes.
“There is no climate justice without gender inclusion,” Otugo reiterated in her closing remarks.
As Osun State moves forward with its Climate Action Plan, the workshop served as a vital reminder that women farmers—who produce much of the state’s food—must be central to the conversation. The event was not just a consultation but a declaration: women are not only stakeholders in climate policy, they are critical to its success.