Kyari emerges IFAD council chair, positions Nigeria for global agriculture influence

Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has been appointed chairperson of the 49th Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a development seen as strengthening Nigeria’s strategic influence in global agricultural financing, food security policy, and rural development cooperation.

Kyari’s emergence places Nigeria at the centre of multilateral decision-making on agricultural investment, rural transformation, and poverty reduction at a time of rising food insecurity, climate volatility, and fragile supply chains across developing economies.

Speaking at the 49th session of the Council meeting in Rome on Tuesday, Kyari pledged to pursue an inclusive, impartial, and results-driven leadership that will deepen multilateral cooperation, strengthen institutional credibility, and accelerate development impact, a statement from the Ministry stated.

“This mandate is not a personal honour. It is a responsibility to millions of rural women and men whose livelihoods depend on the quality of decisions taken in this chamber,” Kyari said.

He pledged to uphold IFAD’s financial strength, sharpen its policy direction, and ensure that interventions deliver measurable outcomes for smallholder farmers, rural youth, women, and vulnerable communities.

IFAD is a specialised United Nations Agency and international financial institution focused on financing agricultural development projects in low-income and food-deficient countries, mobilising billions of dollars annually for rural transformation.

Kyari credited Bola Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for prioritising agriculture as a pillar of economic growth, food security, and job creation, noting that the administration’s reforms have elevated Nigeria’s credibility within multilateral development institutions.

He said the government’s strategy to reposition agriculture as a driver of prosperity and economic stability continues to shape Nigeria’s global engagements.

As chair of the IFAD Governing Council, Kyari will oversee decisions shaping global rural development policy, financial sustainability, leadership appointments, strategic programming, and institutional governance.

“These responsibilities are defining, not routine. They require unity of purpose, discipline of thought, and courage of conviction,” he said.

He also praised Christophe Schiltz, outgoing Chairperson of the Council, for strengthening IFAD’s strategic direction during a period of growing global food system stress.

Kyari said global agriculture is under severe strain from climate change, conflict, inflation, and demographic pressures, warning that urgent policy innovation and stronger partnerships are needed to stabilise food systems and protect rural livelihoods.

He pledged to advance policies that empower farmers, expand rural enterprises, enhance resilience, and unlock sustainable food production systems across continents.

“With collective determination, innovation can be accelerated, and partnerships strengthened to ensure that no rural community is left behind,” he said.

Kyari said Nigeria would continue to champion inclusive growth, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development outcomes through its leadership of the Council.