Nigeria’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, has been honoured with the “National Agritourism Patron of the Year” award at the inaugural World Agritourism Festival 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s recognition on the global agritourism stage.
The event, organised by Xtralarge Farms and Resources, took place in Lagos and brought together stakeholders from the agricultural, tourism, and development sectors. Senator Abdullahi was celebrated for his leadership in integrating agriculture with tourism as a strategic tool for economic growth, job creation, and rural revitalisation.
Presenting the award, Xtralarge Farms highlighted the minister’s role in advancing policies that link agriculture with national tourism development, rural entrepreneurship, and food security.
In his acceptance remarks, Senator Abdullahi dedicated the award to Nigerian farmers — especially women and youth — whom he described as “the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance.”
“There is enormous room for growth,” he said. “With innovation, partnerships, and strategic initiatives, Nigeria’s agricultural future is bright. Agritourism presents a unique opportunity to diversify our economy and empower rural communities.”
He further advocated for the establishment of a National Agritourism Technical Committee, to design and implement a framework that harnesses the synergy between farming, tourism, and cultural heritage. According to him, this aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes food security and economic diversification.
The World Agritourism Festival 2025 served as a vibrant platform for cross-sector collaboration. The event spotlighted agritourism’s potential to attract investment, create jobs, and reposition agriculture as a tool for national identity and economic empowerment.
Participants engaged in workshops and dialogues exploring the successful integration of agritourism in countries like Italy, South Africa, and the United States, where farm stays, eco-tourism, harvest festivals, and agricultural education programs contribute significantly to rural development.
Also recognised at the event was Dr. Bamidele Abiodun, First Lady of Ogun State, who lauded the festival as a turning point in Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive, sustainable agriculture. She highlighted her initiative — the Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Scheme — which empowers women farmers to scale from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
“Women account for over 50% of Nigeria’s smallholder farmers,” she noted. “However, they are often left behind in terms of access to land, finance, and innovation. Supporting them is not just ethical — it is essential for food security and economic transformation.”
Mrs. Ruth Bisola Olusanya, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, echoed the transformative potential of agritourism. She said the blending of agriculture with tourism creates opportunities for cultural preservation, community development, and foreign investment.
Dr. Seyi Davis, Founder and CEO of Xtralarge Farms, called for more government support to enable farmers to scale their agritourism offerings.
“When farmers thrive, communities thrive,” he said. “Agritourism helps us reimagine agriculture not just as a necessity, but as a tool for national development and cultural pride.”
He also urged for access to agricultural finance, mechanisation, and crop insurance, noting that these are critical to enhancing farmers’ capacity to deliver value-added experiences that attract local and international tourists.
Senator Abdullahi’s award cements Nigeria’s growing influence in the global agritourism space and reinforces the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, rural prosperity, and tourism integration.
As the sector garners more attention, experts believe agritourism could become a major contributor to Nigeria’s non-oil GDP, while enhancing food security, preserving cultural heritage, and attracting foreign visitors seeking authentic rural experiences.