Nigeria’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has been honored with the World Agritourism Award 2025 for his outstanding contributions to the promotion of agritourism as a catalyst for rural development and economic growth.
The award was presented during a ceremony at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Aso Rock, where the minister underscored the transformative role of agritourism in empowering rural communities, enhancing food security, and attracting investment to the agricultural sector.
Senator Abdullahi praised Xtralarge Farms and Resorts, organizers of Nigeria’s first-ever World Agritourism Festival, for pioneering a platform that connects farmers, investors, policymakers, and the Nigerian diaspora. The event, themed “Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Through Tourism,” features a 90-day program including exhibitions, workshops, and investment forums, culminating in a Grand Summit and Awards Gala at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on July 11, 2025.
“Agritourism is more than just a blend of agriculture and tourism; it is a sustainable tool for empowering rural communities and rebranding agriculture as a viable lifestyle and economic sector,” the minister said, reaffirming the initiative’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The festival, which began on July 3, 2025, has received endorsements from key institutions, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and is expected to boost agribusiness, cultural tourism, and youth empowerment across the country.
The World Agritourism Award further highlights Nigeria’s emerging position as a hub for agritourism and underscores the government’s drive toward economic diversification through innovative agricultural initiatives.