Faisal Salisu DambattaLeadway Assurance Company Limited has strengthened its dedication to Nigeria’s food security by collaborating with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), State Governments, and the PULA/Bayer Foundations in a strategic alliance aimed at safeguarding smallholder farmers from climate-related risks.
The initiative will provide climate-smart agricultural insurance to over 249,000 smallholder farmers in eight states—Borno, Enugu, Taraba, Ekiti, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Jigawa—enabling them to cope with challenges such as drought, flooding, and pest infestations.
As part of the program, the participating State Governments will subsidize 50% of the farmers’ insurance premiums, while the remaining amount will be funded through donations from PULA and the Bayer Foundation. This arrangement guarantees that at-risk farmers can obtain essential protection at minimal or no personal expense, establishing a safety net that enhances resilience and food production throughout Nigeria.
To promote awareness, the partners will launch the Harvesting Hope Caravan, a grassroots outreach roadshow covering four geopolitical zones. The caravan will inform farmers about climate-smart practices, broaden access to innovative agricultural solutions, and strengthen community-level resilience.
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Ayoola Fatona, Global Head of Agricultural Risk Solutions at Leadway Assurance, stated:
“This collaboration transcends insurance—it is about cultivating a climate-smart agricultural ecosystem that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. By partnering with PFSCU, PULA, and state governments, we are empowering farmers to secure their livelihoods, adopt innovation, and safeguard Nigeria’s food systems for future generations.
Additionally, Mr. Gboyega Lesi, the Managing Director of Leadway Assurance, commented: He stated, “At Leadway, we acknowledge the pressing need to assist farmers in facing climate challenges. Our role extends beyond merely transferring risk—we are providing farmers with knowledge, advisory services, and practical tools that enhance their resilience. This collaboration exemplifies the strength of public-private partnerships in fostering enduring food security for our country.” A representative from the PFSCU remarked that the initiative is in line with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Food Systems Transformation, reinforcing the government’s dedication to inclusive agricultural development and resilience.
The Harvesting Hope Initiative highlights the crucial importance of insurance and advisory services in revolutionizing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. By incorporating climate resilience into grassroots initiatives, Leadway and its partners are paving the way for sustainable food security, empowered communities, and inclusive economic advancement.
Leadway Assurance stands as one of Nigeria’s leading insurers, providing life, general, and agricultural insurance solutions for more than fifty years. Known for its innovation and excellence in service, Leadway is dedicated to safeguarding lives, businesses, and livelihoods.
The Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) leads the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at transforming Nigeria’s food systems. Its mission is to enhance coordination, resilience, and inclusivity throughout the agricultural value chain.
The Pula Foundation incorporates insurance into public-private partnerships to foster resilience for millions of vulnerable farmers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Its objective is to reach 30 million farmers each year by 2030 through climate-smart insurance solutions.
Since 2019, the Bayer Foundation has been a key partner in advancing Pula’s mission to build resilience and financial inclusion for smallholder farmers. As the first donor to support Pula, Bayer helped launch the 10 Million Resilient Farmers initiative, which seeks to insure 10 million farmers globally by 2030.
