Zainab Lawal Gwadabe is a trailblazer in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, leading The Seed Project Co. Ltd., a company dedicated to producing, processing, and marketing high-quality vegetable and arable crop seeds. As the only indigenous woman to own and lead a seed company in Nigeria, Zainab has pioneered local vegetable seed production, breaking new ground in an industry historically dominated by imported seeds.

Under her leadership, The Seed Project is driving agricultural transformation by focusing on biofortified and climate-resilient seeds, addressing challenges like hidden hunger, malnutrition, and poverty among rural farmers. Through an innovative ingrower and outgrower scheme, the company provides sustainable income opportunities to smallholder farmers, 75% of whom are women. By integrating Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), climate adaptation strategies, and financial literacy training, Zainab is not only enhancing farm productivity and resilience but also empowering women to become key players in the seed value chain.

Recognizing the impact of this initiative, organizations such as AECF, PROPCOM+, and HarvestPlus have provided funding to scale the model, reducing Nigeria’s and West Africa’s dependency on imported vegetable seeds. Through these efforts, The Seed Project has trained and supported thousands of women and youth farmers, equipping them with climate-smart agricultural techniques and financial literacy skills.

Zainab’s leadership is strengthening food security, boosting farmer incomes, and positioning Nigeria as a key player in Africa’s seed industry. By championing locally produced vegetable seeds, she is ensuring sustainability, economic growth, and a resilient food system for the future.