Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, has been elected Chairperson of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), following his previous service as Vice Chair of the Governing Council, the IFAD’s apex decision making body.
Sen. Kyari emerged Chairperson at the 49th Session of the IFAD Governing Council Meeting held in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a specialized agency of the United Nations and an international financial institution dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and strengthening food systems through targeted investments and global partnerships.
“I accept this responsibility with humility and a deep sense of duty. I pledge to discharge this mandate with fairness, inclusiveness, and strategic foresight, while fostering consensus and upholding the integrity and credibility of IFAD,” he said.
The Minister noted that his election reflects Nigeria’s strengthened global standing under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has prioritized food security and agricultural transformation, strengthened domestic reforms, and elevated Nigeria’s voice in global food security governance.
He also acknowledged the support and collaborative leadership of the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, FNSE, and the senior management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Minister stated that the appointment reflects the confidence of Member States in Africa’s leadership in global agricultural governance at a time of mounting pressures from climate change, economic volatility, conflict, and demographic shifts, underscoring the need for IFAD to advance forward-looking solutions that strengthen resilience and expand inclusive opportunity.
Sen. Kyari reaffirmed his commitment to keeping IFAD policy-driven and impact-focused, and to working with Member States to advance rural transformation and global food security.
Signed
Ezeaja Ikemefuna
Head, Department of Information
10/2/2026
