Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Some experts in agriculture, trade, and export businesses have called for increased involvement and participation of Nigerian women in agribusiness, trade, and export.
According to them, this is necessary to enhance women’s socio-economic earnings and contributions to the national economy.
The experts made their views known at the launch and inauguration of Women in Agribusiness, Trade and Export (WATEX) in Enugu.
The event was part of activities marking the celebration of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD).
The Chairman, World Trade Organisation Nigeria, Prof. Ngozi Egbuna, advocated that women should be placed at the forefront of agribusiness, trade, and export, and be encouraged, noting that “they have the capacity to multiply whatever is kept in their custody.”
Egbuna noted that the youth population is rapidly increasing, but unfortunately, there is still import dependence and persistent rural unemployment due to a lack of focus on agriculture, agribusiness, and the export potential of local agricultural produce.
According to her, this problem cannot be adequately addressed with outdated economic models.
She, therefore, advocated the active involvement of women in agribusiness, trade, and export, replacing survival mechanisms with a thriving enterprise spirit, subsistence with innovation, and raw material dependence with value addition.
Corroborating, Mrs. Stella Iwuagwu, Grand Patron of WATEX, advised that efforts should be made to ensure that what women produce locally meets international standards for export.
Iwuagwu, a social entrepreneur and farmer, called on government, multinational companies, and agencies to cooperate with women to ensure there is a market for their products at the international level.
In the same vein, the Founder of WATEX and CEO of DGC Export Limited, Dr. Queen Onyinye Okpa, emphasised that one of the major objectives of the organisation is to empower women to participate actively in agricultural production, value addition, and export.
Okpa reiterated that deliberate efforts should be made to engage youths and develop their genuine interest in agribusiness, trade, and export.
“The organisation aims at creating more business opportunities in agribusiness,” she added.
Contributing, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Chinyere Ogugua Agagbo (Iyom Adaejiejemba), appreciated the organisers of the event and challenged women to take the front burner in all spheres of business development, especially in agribusiness, trade, and export.
Agagbo, a women leader and health expert, noted that action plans and strategies would be developed to promote WATEX members across all age groups to be actively engaged in agribusiness and export.
She called for stronger partnerships between the government and the private sector in agribusiness value chains and export.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion and made useful contributions included executive members of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Nigeria Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), and Nigeria Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA).
Others who spoke included officials from GIZ, the United Nations, the World Trade Centre (WTC), and Afreximbank.
They all stressed the need for women to come together to chart a new course of action for advancing the future of Nigerian women in business, especially in agribusiness and exportation.
One of the highlights of the event was the inauguration of WATEX national executive members by one of the organisation’s Grand Patrons, Dr. Benedine Eloka, amid jubilation.
Those inaugurated included the Founder of WATEX, Dr. Queen Onyinye Okpa; National President, Hon. Dr. Uche Ezeh; National Vice President, Hon. Dr. Hajarat Ibrahim; National Vice President II, Ijeoma Ezenwa; and National Secretary, Barr. Chinenye Imoisi, among others.
