By Aliyu Inuwa Mansur and Nura Garba
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has aligned the outcomes of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS) 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, with Nigeria's proposed Agricultural Extension Services Revitalisation Bill, calling for its speedy passage to strengthen agricultural productivity, modernise extension services and build a resilient agri-food system.
The Minister spoke with Nigerian journalists covering the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS) 2026 in the Rwandan capital, where he observed that many of the issues dominating discussions at the continental gathering were agricultural policy priorities that resonate with Nigeria's ongoing efforts to transform agriculture from subsistence farming to a competitive agribusiness sector.
Referring to the forum's theme, "Investing in Africa's Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience," Senator Kyari said it reflects the policy direction Nigeria must pursue to achieve food security, create jobs and develop climate-resilient food systems. He recalled that a similar policy instrument is already before the National Assembly in the form of the Agricultural Extension Services Revitalisation Bill, describing agricultural extension as a critical driver of food sufficiency, increased productivity and sustainable agricultural development. He noted that the enactment of the bill would strengthen farmers' productivity and accelerate the transformation of Nigeria's agricultural sector.
Responding to questions on the proposed legislation, the Minister said the bill, which has already passed first reading in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, deserves urgent legislative attention to enable Nigeria enact a law that reflects the recommendations emerging from AFS 2026.
"It is important to invest in agri-food systems, include women, youth and persons with disabilities, build climate resilience, and provide opportunities for finance and markets through a professional extension service," the Minister said, adding that strengthening agricultural extension has remained one of his priorities since assuming office.
Senator Kyari observed that discussions in Kigali focused on many of the same issues addressed by the proposed legislation, including technology adoption, improved seed systems, climate-smart agriculture, inclusivity, digital transformation, data management and stronger linkages among farmers, researchers, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector.
He also recalled his call at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week held in Abuja in July 2025 for stronger collaboration among governments, researchers, development partners, the private sector and farmers, noting that such partnerships remain a central pillar of the proposed Agricultural Extension Services Revitalisation Bill.
Also speaking with journalists in Kigali, the Founder and Global Advocate of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) and Head of the WOFAN-ICON2 Project, Hajia Salamatu Garba, reaffirmed WOFAN's support for the proposed legislation. She noted that WOFAN is among the co-sponsors of the Agricultural Extension Services Bill, working alongside stakeholders, private-sector partners and farmers' clusters to strengthen Nigeria's agricultural extension system.
Dr. Garba observed that the major sub-themes of the 20th Africa Food Systems Forum—including mobilising investment for agri-food systems, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, women and inclusive food systems, climate resilience and sustainable agriculture—mirror many of the priorities the bill seeks to institutionalise.
She confirmed that the bill has already passed its initial legislative stages in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the public hearing and other legislative processes still outstanding. She appealed to the Minister to support efforts to fast-track its passage, expressing confidence that the legislation would strengthen agricultural extension services and help address many of the challenges confronting farmers across Nigeria.