Agric Minister To Open 2026 Agric Show

…as organiser asks farmers, private sector to participate fully

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari is expected to lead other stakeholders at the opening of the 2026 National Agricultural Show scheduled to hold in November.

The five-day event, organised by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN), will take place at the national agricultural showground in Nasarawa State.

Kyari will attend as the special guest of Honour6 at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, November 17.

The 2026 edition is themed, “Building a Resilient Nigerian Agrifood System: Empowering Farmers, Mobilizing Investment and Driving Innovation for Food Security and Shared Prosperity.”

In a statement, NAFN national coordinator, Aishatu Rufa’I Ibrahim, called on federal and state governments, local government authorities, private-sector operators, financial institutions, development partners and farmers to participate actively in the agricultural gathering.

She said the annual show remained a major national platform for showcasing agricultural innovations, technologies, products, investment opportunities and practical solutions to challenges confronting Nigeria’s agricultural and food systems.

According to her, this year’s edition is particularly important amid growing concerns over food security, rising production costs, climate change, limited access to finance, inadequate mechanisation and the need to strengthen agricultural value chains.

She said the event would provide opportunities for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, establish strategic partnerships, explore investment opportunities and promote policies capable of transforming the agricultural sector.

The NAFN coordinator urged federal and state ministries, departments and agencies , local government areas, organised private-sector organisations, financial institutions, research institutions, agribusiness investors, farmers’ associations, cooperatives, smallholder and commercial farmers to take advantage of the programme.

She said government institutions would have opportunities to showcase their agricultural programmes, attract partnerships and identify practical interventions to advance rural development and food security.

Ibrahim added that private-sector participants would benefit from networking, market access, business-to-business engagements and opportunities to invest across different agricultural value chains.

For farmers, particularly smallholder producers, she said the show would provide exposure to improved technologies, modern farming practices, quality agricultural inputs, market linkages and opportunities to connect directly with service providers and potential buyers.

The foundation said the show was designed to move stakeholders beyond discussions to practical collaborations and measurable outcomes that would strengthen Nigeria’s agrifood system.

She said, “The annual national agricultural show remains a premier national platform for showcasing agricultural innovations, technologies, products, investment opportunities and practical solutions to the challenges confronting Nigeria’s agricultural and food systems.

This year’s edition is particularly significant against the backdrop of growing concerns over food security, rising production costs, climate change, limited access to finance, inadequate mechanization and the need to strengthen agricultural value chains.

“It will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, establish strategic partnerships, explore investment opportunities and promote policies that will transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

NAFN believes that achieving sustainable food security requires collective action, strong public-private partnerships, increased investment and the adoption of innovative agricultural solutions.

The national agricultural show provides a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to move beyond discussions to practical collaborations and measurable outcomes.

Together, we can build a resilient agrifood system, empower our farmers, strengthen agricultural investment and secure a prosperous future for Nigeria.”