Honouring the rural women in Nigeria on their International Day, Peter Obi made known, one of his priorities is supporting their enterprises, adding, it is “essential” to his “central commitment” in helping people “out of poverty”.
The 2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) made the statement on International Day of Rural Women, Thursday 15 October, 2026.
During his discussion with the members of the Akpu Sellers Association at their markets in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the women opened up on the “worsening hardship and declining business patronage”, as well as, the “need for microcredit” to boost their businesses.
Taking to X, the former Governor of Anambra State announced: “Today, October 15th, is globally dedicated to honouring rural women. In recognition of their contributions,
“I set out early this morning to spend time with members of the Akpu Sellers Association at their markets in Sheda and Sheda Galadima, within the Kwali Area Council of the FCT, to gain a firsthand understanding of their lives and daily experiences.”
Obi assured them of his support, as well as, all Nigerians.
He expressed “sincere honour” to Nigerian women in their “millions” in rural areas who “cultivate our land and produce our food”; he said, despite all their effort, they get “neglected” by government.
Obi said: “During our discussion, they expressed concerns about worsening hardship, declining business patronage, severely insufficient water supply, and the need for microcredit to strengthen their businesses.
“I assured them that our government remains committed to supporting them, all rural women, and indeed, all Nigerians.
“Supporting their enterprises will be one of our priorities because it is essential to my central commitment to lifting our people out of poverty. I sincerely honour the millions of Nigerian women in rural communities who cultivate our land, produce our food, sustain our families, and power rural economies,
“yet remain among those most neglected by government. They continue to endure hardship, insecurity, rising poverty, limited access to credit, and inadequate healthcare.”
Obi, who contested for the Office of the President in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), made known his commitment to empowering rural women who hustle to ensure the “prosperity” of Nigeria.
He said, Nigeria “must” support women in rural communities.
Obi said: “My solidarity with rural women demonstrates my commitment to building a Nigeria where those who sustain our nation are empowered to prosper, rural communities receive the investments they rightly deserve, and no woman is deprived of opportunity because of her place of residence.
“A New Nigeria must support rural women.”
He praised women for their “resilience” in the midst of economic pressures he described as “severe”; he blamed these “pressures” on “poor government policies and incompetence”.
Obi said: “I commend our women for their resilience amid severe economic pressures caused by poor government policies, incompetence, and the outright mismanagement of our national resources.”
International Day of Rural Women
International Day of Rural Women was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and is celebrated every year on October 15, with the purpose of bringing to light the role and condition of women in rural communities.
According to the United Nations (un.org):
“Women are responsible for half of the world’s food production while working as environmental and biodiversity stewards.
“Even so, women and girls in rural areas suffer disproportionately from multi-dimensional poverty.
“Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political participation in rural households and communities.
“The theme of this year’s International Day of Rural Women, “Rural Women Farmers Caring for Mother Nature”, honors the work rural women do every day: conserving seeds, protecting biodiversity, managing water, and restoring degraded land.”
