By Patricia Amogu
Abuja, Dec. 18, 2025 – In a strategic move to revitalize Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has announced a pivotal three-day General Assembly. The event, scheduled for January 15-17, 2026, at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is explicitly designed to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) while addressing systemic domestic issues like food security, farmer profitability, and value-chain collaboration.
AFAN President, Dr. Farouk Rabiu-Mudi, unveiled the plans to journalists, framing the assembly as the “highest gathering of farmers in the country.” He positioned it as a critical platform to operationalize President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agriculture, moving from policy to actionable partnerships.
Beyond a Meeting: A Multi-Pronged Strategy for Investment and Growth
Dr. Rabiu-Mudi outlined a comprehensive agenda that extends beyond mere networking. The assembly is structured to provide foreign investors with a clear, de-risked pathway into Nigerian agriculture:
- State-by-State Investment Blueprints: A core feature will be workshops dedicated to mapping and promoting the comparative advantages of Nigeria’s 36 states. For instance, while Kaduna may be highlighted for its ginger and maize potential, Cross River’s focus could be on cocoa and aquaculture. This granular approach gives investors specific, location-based opportunities rather than a generic national overview.
- Stakeholder Consolidation: The event will convene an unprecedented mix of participants, including academics, research institutes, key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), input dealers, agro-processors, and marketers. This creates a “one-stop-shop” for investors to engage with every link in the agricultural value chain, facilitating integrated deal-making.
- Addressing the Farmer Profitability Paradox: Dr. Rabiu-Mudi highlighted a critical disconnect plaguing the sector: “While food prices are coming down, farmers are not making substantial revenue due to rising input costs.” The assembly will directly tackle this by fostering collaborations aimed at reducing production costs, improving access to affordable credit, and creating fairer market structures to ensure farmers are incentivized to produce more.
Recognition as a Catalyst for Policy Action
In a notable move, AFAN plans to honor public officials who have demonstrably supported agriculture. The recognition list includes two governors from each geopolitical zone, federal lawmakers, and local government chairmen. This serves a dual purpose: it rewards past efforts and publicly encourages continued and enhanced policy prioritization of agriculture at all tiers of government, signaling to investors a politically supportive environment.
The Broader Vision: From Food Security to National Security
Dr. Rabiu-Mudi connected agricultural success directly to national stability, stating, “Achieving food security is achieving the general security of the nation.” The assembly’s goals of sustainability, sufficiency, and affordability are thus framed as non-negotiable pillars for Nigeria’s socio-economic health. He commended the increased funding to the Bank of Agriculture and expressed hope for strong financial sector participation in the event.
Why This Assembly Matters Now
This initiative comes at a crucial time. Nigeria faces persistent food inflation and security challenges, despite its vast arable land and agricultural potential. By proactively creating a structured, high-level dialogue between capital, policy, and production, AFAN is attempting to bridge a long-standing gap. The success of this assembly could mark a turning point, moving the sector from fragmented efforts toward a coordinated, investment-driven growth model.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AFAN is the apex body of commodity and agriculture-related associations in Nigeria.
(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
