Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has been appointed Chairman of the 49th Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome.

Delivering his acceptance speech at the 49th session, Senator Kyari pledged to lead an impartial, inclusive, and strategically focused administration, aimed at fostering consensus, strengthening multilateral cooperation, and upholding IFAD’s credibility.

“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.

The minister reaffirmed his commitment to IFAD’s mandate of delivering measurable, transformative outcomes for smallholder farmers, rural youth, women, and vulnerable communities across the globe, stressing the importance of keeping the institution financially strong and impact-driven.

Senator Kyari expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that his administration’s resolve to reposition agriculture as a backbone of prosperity continues to inspire Nigeria’s engagement on the international stage. He also acknowledged the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, alongside members of Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for their collective support.

He paid tribute to the outgoing IFAD Chairman, Christophe Schiltz, for his stewardship, and commended IFAD’s leadership, including its President Álvaro Lario, for advancing the organisation’s mission during a critical period for global food systems.

Addressing the Governing Council (IFAD’s supreme decision-making body) Senator Kyari emphasised that members are entrusted with shaping rural transformation policies, safeguarding the Fund’s financial strength, appointing leadership, and defining IFAD’s strategic direction worldwide.

He acknowledged mounting pressures on global food systems from climate shocks, economic volatility, conflict, and demographic change, assuring member states of his commitment to accelerating innovation and strengthening partnerships:

“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.”