The 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).

According to a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, the ministry’s head of information, Mr Kyari was appointed during the 49th Session of the IFAD Governing Council Meeting in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Kyari pledged to promote unity and inclusiveness across continents, promising impartial and strategically focused leadership to foster consensus, strengthen multilateral cooperation, and uphold IFAD’s credibility.

“It is with humility and a strong sense of duty that I accept this role,” Mr Kyari said. “I take this mandate not as a personal honour, but as a responsibility to millions of rural women and men worldwide.”

The minister reaffirmed his commitment to IFAD’s mission of being financially robust, policy-driven, and impact-focused.

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for positioning Nigeria as a leader in global development cooperation.

Mr Kyari commended outgoing IFAD chairman Christophe Schiltz for his leadership, noting the challenges global food systems face, including climate shocks, economic volatility, conflicts, and population pressures.

He assured that with determination and innovation, partnerships will 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.

(NAN)