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Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has extended warm congratulations to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, following his election as Chairman of the 49th Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
In an official statement released by the Benue State Government on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Governor Alia described the appointment as a “momentous elevation” and a source of immense pride not only for Senator Kyari personally, but for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.
The governor praised the minister’s exceptional diligence, strategic leadership, and proven track record, attributing his rise to this prestigious global position to his unwavering commitment to implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that Senator Kyari’s effective pursuit of national agricultural priorities had positioned him as a standout figure on the international stage, showcasing Nigeria’s growing influence in global development forums.
Governor Alia expressed full confidence that under Senator Kyari’s astute leadership, IFAD would reach unprecedented heights in fulfilling its core mandate: promoting sustainable agricultural development, strengthening global food security, and improving the livelihoods of millions of rural farmers and vulnerable populations worldwide.
As the self-acclaimed “Food Basket of the Nation,” Benue State reaffirmed its readiness to serve as a key subnational partner in advancing IFAD’s objectives and other national agricultural interventions. The governor emphasised the state’s preparedness to collaborate actively in delivering on IFAD’s priorities, thereby reinforcing Nigeria’s broader commitment to agricultural prosperity and rural transformation.
The statement, signed by Chief Solomon Iorpev, Technical Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, underscores the positive diplomatic and developmental ties between the state and federal levels in the agricultural sector.
Senator Kyari’s election to chair the IFAD Governing Council is seen as a significant boost for Nigeria’s voice in international agricultural policy and funding mechanisms, with expectations that it will translate into enhanced support for smallholder farmers, climate-resilient farming practices, and food systems transformation across the country and the continent.
