Government Programmes in Nigeria - Regional Development

Better Life Programme for Rural Women

This programme was established to enhance the status of women in the rural areas. It was carried out by the National Commission for Women (then upgraded to the Federal Ministry for Women’s Affairs and Social Development (see the Chapter on Legislative and Administrative Institutions)). The aims and objectives of this Programme are the following:

1. stimulating and motivating rural women towards achieving better living standards and sensitising the rest of the Nigerian population to the problems of women;

2. educating rural women on simple hygiene, family planning, the importance of child-care and increased literacy rates;

3. mobilising women collectively in order to improve their general lot and ability to seek and achieve leadership roles in all spheres of society;

4. raising consciousness about the rights of women, the availability of opportunities and facilities, their social, political and economic responsibilities;

5. encouraging recreation and enriched family life; and

6. Inculcating the spirit of self-development, particularly in the fields of education, business, the arts, crafts and agriculture.

Rural Export Craft Scheme

The federal government set up the National Directorate of Employment to cater for unemployed school leavers. Under this Directorate, several schemes have been developed, notably the Rural Export Craft Scheme. It was introduced to support Nigerians, mainly women, interested in producing local crafts for export trade. This was essentially in the textile trade.

Women in Agriculture (WIA)

In 1991, WIA was established in the Federal Agricultural Coordinating Unit, under the Department of Agriculture of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Its aim was to integrate women into agricultural development through the alleviation of production constraints facing women. WIA has disseminated information on modern production, processing and utilization technologies which could reduce women’s workload. It has also tried to link women with sources of credit and better agricultural inputs, such as improved seeds and fertilizers. As a follow-up to WIA activities, a Nigerian delegation attended to the International Conference on Women in Agriculture.

WIA women’s groups have been organized around innovative agro-based activities and new technologies have been used and disseminated to women farmers. This has resulted in an increased output, hence more surplus and income for the family.