Rising pillars: My journey of empowering women, youth in agriculture

By Chi Tola Roberts

When I received the call that I had been selected as the recipient of the “Pillar of Women and Youth Empowerment in Agriculture” at the Nigeria’s Pride Awards, I took a moment to pause. It was not just a call to celebrate — it was a call to reflect.

For me, this award is not a trophy to be placed on a shelf. It is a testament, a responsibility, and a renewed charge to do even more for the thousands of women and youth who till, trade, and transform our agricultural landscape every single day.

A recognition earned through purpose

I accepted this award because I believe it was earned — not through mere ambition, but through consistent effort, sacrifice, and an unrelenting belief in the transformative power of agriculture.

Over the years, I have watched women rise from being unseen hands on the farm to becoming agripreneurs, processors, exporters, and policy influencers. I have seen young men and women, once uninterested in agriculture, now finding meaning, income, and dignity through innovative agribusiness models.

To me, this recognition is not about personal achievement; it is about the collective journey of every farmer, processor, aggregator, and development partner who believes that agriculture is not just about food — it is about freedom.

A charge to do more

While receiving the award, one thought lingered deeply in my heart: this is not the finish line; it is the beginning of a new chapter.

For every woman still struggling to access farmland, for every youth seeking opportunities in agritech, and for every community battling with post-harvest losses — this award reminds me that our work is far from done.

Empowerment must move beyond slogans. It must translate into training, access, inclusion, and capital. It must reflect in ownership and leadership. And it must continue until the average Nigerian farmer — male or female — can stand tall, proud, and prosperous.

This recognition charges me to deepen our initiatives that support women-led agricultural enterprises, to expand our mentorship networks, and to keep building bridges between the field and the future.

An appreciation of the work done

Accepting this award also carries a tone of gratitude — not just to the organizers of Nigeria’s Pride Awards, but to everyone who has walked this path with me.

From government partners and agribusiness collaborators to community leaders and our incredible field officers — each has played a role in building the structures that support sustainable empowerment.

This moment also honors the resilience of Nigerian women — mothers who feed nations, wives who manage farmlands, and daughters who defy stereotypes to lead in agribusiness. It celebrates the youth who dare to innovate — using drones, data, and digital platforms to revolutionize agriculture.

It is their courage that fuels my conviction. Their stories validate my mission. Their growth defines my success.

Beyond the award

Awards like this remind us that visibility is powerful — but impact is eternal.

My vision remains clear: to continue building inclusive agricultural ecosystems that uplift families, strengthen food systems, and reposition agriculture as the pride of our nation.

We must continue to create spaces where women and youth can thrive, where innovation meets inclusion, and where agriculture becomes a true engine of national transformation.

So, as I place this award on my desk, I see not a symbol of what has been achieved, but a beacon of what lies ahead. It is a daily reminder that the real reward is in the lives changed, the farms transformed, and the hope rekindled across rural and urban communities alike.

A call to collaboration

I believe no one truly empowers alone. The journey to transform agriculture and empower women and youth requires partnerships — between government and private sector, between rural communities and research institutions, and between visionaries and doers.

As I accept this honor, I extend an open invitation to all who share this vision: let us collaborate, co-create, and commit to building an agricultural future where every Nigerian can find dignity, purpose, and prosperity.

This is not my award alone — it belongs to every woman who refused to give up, every youth who dared to dream, and every believer in the boundless possibilities of Nigerian agriculture.

Conclusion

Being named the Pillar of Women and Youth Empowerment in Agriculture is more than a title — it is a mandate.

It is a reminder that when women rise, families thrive. When youth engage, innovation blooms. And when agriculture works, a nation stands strong.

I remain deeply grateful for this recognition, and even more determined to keep bending thoughts, breaking barriers, and building bridges — until agriculture becomes not just our heritage, but our pride and future.

Roberts, Award Recipient, Pillar of Women and Youth Empowerment in Agriculture – Nigeria’s Pride Awards