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By Daniel Adaji
Nigeria has returned to the global agricultural stage, as the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, was appointed Chairperson of the 49th Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Tuesday.
The appointment marks the first time in six years that Nigeria has led the council, a critical body steering international efforts to support rural development and smallholder farmers.
Delivering his acceptance speech at the council’s 49th session in Rome, Kyari pledged an administration grounded in inclusiveness, impartiality, and strategic foresight.
“It is with profound humility and an abiding sense of duty that I accept the honour to serve as Chairman of the 49th Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
“I receive this mandate not merely as a personal distinction, but as a solemn obligation to the millions of rural women and men whose hopes rest on the decisions we take in this chamber,” he said.
Nigeria’s return to the helm of IFAD recalls the country’s earlier leadership role. Between February 2008 and February 2010, Dr. Sayyadi Abba Ruma, then Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, served as Chairperson of IFAD’s Governing Council.
He led the council bureau, which includes the chair and two vice-chairs, guiding decisions on agricultural development financing and shaping policies that impacted rural communities worldwide.
Ruma’s tenure is widely remembered for steering IFAD through key sessions and reinforcing Nigeria’s reputation as a champion of global agricultural cooperation.
Building on this legacy, Kyari underscored his commitment to strengthening IFAD’s financial robustness and ensuring that its policies remain impact-driven.
“I pledge to discharge this duty with impartiality, inclusiveness, and strategic foresight. I will work tirelessly to foster consensus, deepen multilateral cooperation, and uphold the integrity and credibility of this great institution,” he stated.
The Minister expressed gratitude to outgoing IFAD Chairman, Christophe Schiltz, whose tenure he described as marked by “distinguished stewardship strengthening our collective resolve and advancing IFAD’s mission at a critical time for global food systems.”
Recognising the pressing challenges facing global food systems, from climate shocks and economic volatility to conflict and demographic pressures, Kyari assured that his leadership will emphasise innovation, strengthened partnerships, and policies that leave no rural community behind.
“Together, we shall advance bold and forward-looking policies that empower farmers, enhance resilience, unlock rural enterprise, and secure sustainable global food systems for generations to come,” he said.
He reaffirmed his dedication to the council’s mandate as IFAD’s supreme decision-making authority, overseeing policy, financial stability, leadership appointments, and strategic direction to drive transformative outcomes for smallholder farmers, rural youth, women, and vulnerable communities worldwide.