The Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, in partnership with development organisations, has inaugurated a cassava processing facility in the Kwali area council to boost rural women’s productivity and economic opportunities.

The facility, established for members of the Akpu Women Cassava Processing Association, was delivered through a collaboration among UN Women Nigeria, TY Danjuma Foundation, ATRED Foundation, and the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat.

Speaking during the inauguration on Wednesday, MBNCWD director-general, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, described the project as a practical intervention that addresses challenges faced by rural women processors, who spend long hours undertaking labour-intensive cassava processing.

She said the facility would improve productivity, reduce drudgery and increase income-generating opportunities for women, reflecting the commitment of government and development partners to advancing women’s economic empowerment nationwide.

“Today, I return not merely as a guest of honour, but as a witness to a promise made, a partnership nurtured and a vision fulfilled,” Ms Benjamins-Laniyi said.

The director-general recalled meeting members of the association while serving as the pioneer mandate secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, during which they highlighted production constraints and aspirations for sustainable enterprise development.

According to her, the women’s determination inspired efforts to mobilise support for the initiative, which she said would strengthen livelihoods while recognising women as drivers of food security and development.

UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said the facility would reduce the burden of manual processing, improve operational efficiency and enable beneficiaries to pursue additional income-generating activities.

Ms Eyong restated the importance of investing in rural women’s economic empowerment, noting that increased productivity would strengthen household incomes and broaden economic participation in local communities.

The chairperson of TY Danjuma Foundation, Hannatu Gentles, described the facility as a transformative investment capable of improving productivity, raising household incomes and supporting local economic development.

Chairman of ATRED Foundation, Victory Akachukwu, represented by Ada Chukwumere, a Director at the foundation, said more than 500 women were expected to benefit directly from the intervention and associated economic opportunities.

(NAN)