Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has been elected Chairman of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The appointment was made during the 49th Session of the IFAD Governing Council in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday.
In his acceptance remarks, Minister Kyari framed the role as a responsibility to vulnerable rural communities worldwide rather than a personal honor. He pledged to promote unity and inclusiveness across continents, committing to impartial and strategically focused leadership aimed at fostering consensus, strengthening multilateral cooperation, and maintaining the fund’s credibility.
“I take this mandate not as a personal honour, but as a responsibility to millions of rural women and men worldwide,” Kyari stated via his social media platform. He emphasized a commitment to IFAD’s mission of building a financially robust, policy-driven, and impact-focused organization.
The minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for enhancing Nigeria’s position in global development cooperation. He also acknowledged the work of outgoing Chairman Christophe Schiltz, noting the complex challenges confronting global food systems, including climate shocks, economic volatility, conflicts, and population pressures. Kyari assured that through determination and innovation, partnerships would be strengthened to ensure no rural community is left behind.
“Together, we will advance policies that empower farmers, enhance resilience, unlock rural enterprise, and secure sustainable food systems for future generations,” he said.
IFAD, a specialized United Nations agency and the only multilateral development bank focused exclusively on rural economies and food security, provides financing and grants to developing countries. Nigeria’s election of its Agriculture Minister to this influential post underscores the country’s engagement with global agricultural development agendas. The Governing Council, IFAD’s highest decision-making body, sets strategic direction and approves funding for projects targeting small-scale farmers and rural populations.
Kyari’s chairmanship begins as the world faces persistent food insecurity and the need for climate-resilient agricultural transformation. His leadership will guide the fund’s priorities and resource allocation for the coming term. The appointment was first reported by Channels Television.
