Nigerian Minister Abubakar Kyari Appointed Chairman of IFAD Governing Council

​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 took place during the 49th Session of the IFAD Governing Council in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

​This selection places Nigeria at the forefront of global agricultural policy, as Kyari takes the helm of the highest decision-making body of the UN agency dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries.

​A Mandate for Global Food Security

​In his acceptance speech, Kyari emphasized that the appointment is a “responsibility to millions of rural women and men worldwide” rather than a personal accolade. He pledged to lead with impartiality, focusing on:

• ​Strengthening Multilateral Cooperation: Fostering unity across continents to address global food system challenges.
• ​Climate Resilience: Tackling the impact of climate shocks and economic volatility on rural communities.
• ​Rural Empowerment: Promoting policies that unlock rural enterprise and secure sustainable food systems for future generations.

​National Pride and Global Strategy

​The Minister extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, attributing the appointment to the administration’s efforts in positioning Nigeria as a leader in international development. Kyari succeeds outgoing chairman Christophe Schiltz, inheriting a landscape defined by population pressure and global conflict.

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​”Together, we will advance policies that empower farmers and ensure no rural community is left behind,” Kyari stated, reaffirming his commitment to a financially robust and impact-focused IFAD.