Leading insurer Leadway Assurance, in collaboration with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and PULA Advisors, has disbursed N396.69 million in insurance claims to smallholder farmers affected by climate-related losses.
The payouts were announced during the 2025 wet season insurance ceremony held in Abuja under the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM). Farmers from Plateau, Borno, Kaduna, and Taraba states benefited from the initiative, highlighting the growing importance of agricultural insurance in protecting livelihoods and sustaining food production.
The event also served as a forum to review the past farming season, present verified yield data, and recognise beneficiaries. Stakeholders used the opportunity to strengthen collaboration and plan ahead for the 2025/2026 dry season.
Chief Executive Officer of Leadway Assurance, Gboyega Lesi, said the payout demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting farmers during difficult times. He emphasised that agricultural insurance is essential for building resilience within Nigeria’s food systems.
“We are proud to support farmers in mitigating the impact of climate risks,” Lesi said, adding that data-driven insurance solutions can help ensure vulnerable farmers are not left behind.
Also speaking, the company’s Global Head of Agricultural Risk Solutions, Fatona Ayoola, noted that helping farmers recover and reinvest after losses is key to maintaining food supply and strengthening confidence in the sector.
Ayoola praised the PFSCU’s NAPM framework as a strong example of effective public-private collaboration in agriculture.
Country Manager of PULA Advisors, Michael Enahoro, said the partnership has proven that agricultural insurance can be successfully implemented at scale in Nigeria. He also commended participating state governments for supporting farmers and improving resilience against climate shocks.
Enahoro further acknowledged the support of the Bayer Foundation in advancing the programme and expressed optimism about expanded support in future farming seasons.
In 2024, Leadway and its partners paid N110 million in claims to over 1,100 farmers affected by ginger blight disease. Their continued commitment to honoring claims has positioned them as key contributors to building a more resilient agricultural sector and improving food security in Nigeria.
