Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister Honoured with Global Agritourism Recognition

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has been awarded the prestigious World Agritourism Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of agritourism and sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria.

The award, presented during the International Agritourism Conference held in Bolzano, Italy, celebrates leaders and policymakers who have made significant strides in integrating agriculture with tourism to promote rural development, community empowerment, and food security. Senator Kyari was honoured alongside other international recipients for his pioneering efforts in using agriculture as a tool for economic diversification and rural revitalization.

In his acceptance remarks, the minister dedicated the award to Nigerian farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and the government under President Bola Tinubu, stating that the recognition was a testament to the resilience and potential of the country’s agricultural sector. He also highlighted the administration’s renewed focus on agritourism, rural infrastructure, and youth involvement in farming as key pillars of the government’s agricultural reform plan.

According to the organizers, the minister was selected for his advocacy in transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through initiatives that link farming communities to tourism markets. These include programs encouraging farm stays, agricultural festivals, local food experiences, and eco-friendly rural travel packages designed to attract both local and international tourists.

Representatives from over 30 countries attended the event, including ministers, agritourism operators, academics, and private sector players. Senator Kyari’s speech at the summit emphasized the importance of building synergy between agriculture and tourism, especially in countries like Nigeria, where both sectors hold immense untapped potential for job creation and revenue generation.

He also used the platform to invite global investors and development partners to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s agritourism ecosystem, promising an enabling environment supported by policy reforms, financial incentives, and infrastructure investments. Kyari said Nigeria is determined to become a hub for agricultural innovation and sustainable rural tourism in Africa.

Back home, industry stakeholders have hailed the award as a positive signal that Nigeria’s efforts to reposition agriculture on the global map are gaining traction. The National Agritourism Association of Nigeria described the honour as “a win for the entire country,” adding that it would help spur greater interest in the fusion of agriculture, culture, and hospitality.

Under Kyari’s leadership, the ministry has launched several programs to promote rural tourism, including training workshops for farmers, incentives for agro-tourism startups, and collaboration with state governments to revamp rural infrastructure. These efforts have reportedly improved visibility for local produce, encouraged cultural exchanges, and provided alternative income streams for farming communities.

Tourism experts say the minister’s global recognition could boost Nigeria’s profile in the international agritourism market and attract more visitors to the country’s rural heartlands. With Nigeria’s diverse landscapes, culinary richness, and heritage farming practices, stakeholders believe the country is well-positioned to benefit from the growing global demand for authentic, immersive travel experiences.

Senator Kyari’s award is seen as a boost to the ministry’s broader agenda of making agriculture more attractive to young Nigerians. His emphasis on agritourism as a modern and profitable dimension of farming is helping to reshape perceptions around agriculture from being labor-intensive and outdated to being innovative and economically viable.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has pledged to deepen partnerships with local governments, private investors, and community-based organizations to scale up agritourism projects nationwide. Officials say a national agritourism framework is already in development to provide standards, guidelines, and support for aspiring agro-tourism entrepreneurs.

The World Agritourism Award committee noted that Senator Kyari’s leadership reflects a global shift toward more integrated rural development policies that blend agriculture with leisure, sustainability, and cultural preservation. They urged more African countries to explore agritourism as a solution to rural poverty and urban migration.

As Nigeria celebrates this milestone, expectations are growing for further innovations in agritourism policy and practice. Observers believe that with sustained political will and private sector collaboration, Nigeria could emerge as one of Africa’s leading agritourism destinations within the next decade.