Farmers Urge Tinubu to Attend 2026 Agricultural Show, Address Food Security Challenges

 

By Atlantic Reports

The National Agricultural Farmers Network (NAFN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to attend the 2026 Annual National Agricultural Show and engage directly with farmers on the policies, investments and practical challenges shaping Nigeria's agricultural sector.

The organisation said the President's participation would provide an opportunity for farmers to raise concerns about access to finance, agricultural inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, storage facilities and markets while receiving explanations about the Federal Government's agricultural interventions.

NAFN National Coordinator, Aishatu Ibrahim, made the appeal in a statement issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, in Abuja.

The agricultural show is scheduled to take place from November 16 to 20, with its official opening ceremony fixed for November 17.

The event is being organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).

Ibrahim maintained that direct engagement between the President and agricultural producers would strengthen dialogue on food security, rural livelihoods and the implementation of government policies.

Farmers Seek Direct Answers on Agricultural Policies

Ibrahim said President Tinubu's presence would demonstrate recognition of the contributions farmers make to food production, employment and national economic development.

She argued that the gathering should serve as more than an exhibition of agricultural produce and equipment.

“We are calling on President Tinubu to seize this historic opportunity and personally attend the 2026 National Agricultural Show.

“This is not simply an exhibition; it is the largest gathering of Nigerian farmers and agricultural stakeholders on a common platform,” she said.

The description of the event as the country's largest agricultural gathering is NAFN's characterisation; comparative attendance figures were not provided.

According to Ibrahim, farmers should have an opportunity to explain their experiences directly to the President, particularly regarding policies intended to improve agricultural productivity.

She identified agricultural financing, access to farm inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, storage, processing, market access and technology adoption as priority issues requiring discussion.

Her appeal places attention on the gap that can exist between agricultural policies announced by government institutions and the practical experiences of farmers expected to benefit from them.

For many smallholder producers, access to affordable credit, reliable equipment and profitable markets can determine whether farming remains economically sustainable.

November Show to Focus on Farmers, Technology and Investment

The 2026 event will be held under the theme:

“Repositioning Agriculture for National Prosperity: Linking Smallholder Farmers, Government and the Private Sector to Technology, Finance, Markets and Value Addition.”

The theme reflects growing attention to the need for stronger connections between agricultural production, financing, technology and commercial markets.

Smallholder farmers contribute to food production across Nigeria, but their productivity and earnings can be affected by limited access to modern equipment, quality inputs, storage infrastructure and affordable financial services.

Improving these conditions requires cooperation among government agencies, research institutions, commercial banks, investors and agricultural producers.

Ibrahim said the agricultural show would provide a common platform for these groups to exchange ideas, explore partnerships and identify opportunities for improving production.

She emphasised that agricultural development should extend beyond increasing harvest volumes to ensuring that farmers receive better economic returns.

“The future of Nigerian agriculture must be built around an integrated value-chain approach that enables farmers to produce more, earn more and contribute more significantly to national economic growth,” she stated.

Why Smallholder Farmers Need More Than Policy Promises

The issues identified by NAFN are closely connected to the everyday challenges confronting agricultural households.

Farmers require timely access to seeds, fertilisers, equipment and other production resources.

Where financing is expensive or difficult to obtain, producers may struggle to expand cultivation, adopt improved technologies or invest in irrigation.

Inadequate storage and processing facilities can also expose farmers to post-harvest losses, reducing the income available from their produce.

Poor transport connections and limited market information may further weaken farmers' bargaining positions.

For rural communities, these challenges affect not only agricultural output but also household welfare, local employment and food availability.

NAFN's call for presidential engagement therefore raises important questions about how existing agricultural programmes are reaching intended beneficiaries.

These include whether financing schemes are accessible to smallholders, how beneficiaries are selected, whether interventions are delivered on time and how their outcomes are evaluated.

The organisation did not provide specific figures on the number of farmers who have benefited from current federal interventions or the scale of unmet financing and infrastructure needs.

Such evidence would be useful in assessing progress and identifying areas requiring additional support.

NAFN Wants Agricultural Show Declared National Agricultural Day

Beyond the invitation to President Tinubu, Ibrahim urged the Federal Government to formally recognise the Annual National Agricultural Show as Nigeria's official National Agricultural Day.

She said the designation would establish a recurring national platform for celebrating farmers, showcasing agricultural innovations and evaluating progress in the sector.

According to her, the government should strengthen an existing agricultural gathering rather than establish another event with similar objectives.

“Rather than creating another event, government should build on an existing platform that already brings together farmers and virtually every critical institution and stakeholder in Nigerian agriculture,” she said.

The proposal would require consideration by the relevant government authorities.

NAFN did not indicate whether a formal request had been submitted to the Presidency or whether the Federal Government had begun reviewing the proposed designation.

Nevertheless, the suggestion reflects the organisation's desire for a more structured annual dialogue between farmers, policymakers and agricultural investors.

For such a platform to contribute meaningfully to agricultural development, discussions would need to produce clear commitments, implementation timelines and opportunities to assess progress in subsequent years.

Research Institutions to Showcase Agricultural Innovations

Ibrahim disclosed that the programme would feature agricultural technologies and innovations from the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN).

Smallholder and large-scale farmers are also expected to exhibit agricultural produce.

Other anticipated participants include federal and state agriculture ministries, agricultural agencies, agro-allied companies, financial institutions and commodity associations.

The participation of research institutions could provide opportunities to introduce farmers to improved production techniques and technologies suited to different agricultural environments.

However, the effectiveness of agricultural innovation depends on whether farmers can access, afford and use the technologies being promoted.

Demonstrations at exhibitions may generate interest, but wider adoption often requires extension services, technical training, financing and after-sales support.

For smallholder farmers, particularly those in remote communities, these practical considerations can be as important as the technologies themselves.

Governors, Lawmakers and Investors Invited

The NAFN coordinator also called on state governors, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, development partners, financial institutions, private investors, researchers and commodity associations to participate in the event.

Their involvement, she said, would help strengthen collaboration across the agricultural sector.

State governments play important roles in rural infrastructure, agricultural extension and the implementation of programmes supporting local producers.

The National Assembly also has responsibilities relating to legislation, budgetary appropriations and oversight of federal agricultural initiatives.

Financial institutions and private investors can contribute to agricultural development through credit, equipment financing, processing facilities and market partnerships.

However, effective collaboration requires clear responsibilities and investment arrangements that protect farmers' interests.

The agricultural show could provide opportunities to examine these relationships and identify practical measures for improving productivity and market access.

Seminar to Examine Agriculture's Challenges and Prospects

According to Ibrahim, the event will also include a seminar examining the challenges and opportunities facing Nigerian agriculture.

Expected contributors include experts from universities, government institutions, financial organisations and the farming sector.

The discussions are intended to explore ways of strengthening agricultural production, improving investment and addressing barriers affecting farmers.

The event is also expected to connect agricultural producers with technologies, financing opportunities and other resources.

However, the organisers have not yet provided details of specific investment commitments, financing packages or partnerships expected to emerge from the programme.

These outcomes will become clearer as the event approaches and participating institutions announce their plans.

Will the President Honour the Invitation?

NAFN's appeal places President Tinubu's agricultural policies at the centre of the proposed engagement.

The organisation wants the President to explain his administration's achievements, hear farmers' concerns and outline future priorities.

As of the statement, no confirmation of presidential attendance was provided.

The Presidency's response to the invitation was also not included in the information released by the organisers.

Whether Tinubu attends personally or sends a representative, the substance of the government's engagement will be important to farmers seeking practical solutions.

Questions likely to matter include how agricultural credit is distributed, whether smallholders can access mechanisation services, what measures are being taken to reduce post-harvest losses and how producers can secure reliable markets.

For farmers in communities facing insecurity, flooding, poor road access or other production difficulties, the availability of targeted support will also remain significant.

Beyond the Exhibition, Farmers Expect Results

The 2026 Annual National Agricultural Show offers an opportunity to bring together policymakers, researchers, investors and the people directly responsible for agricultural production.

Its proposed focus on technology, finance, markets and value addition addresses several important areas of agricultural development.

Yet the success of the gathering should not be judged solely by attendance, exhibitions or official speeches.

More meaningful indicators would include new financing opportunities accessible to smallholders, practical technology partnerships, improved market connections and commitments that can be monitored after the event.

For NAFN, direct presidential engagement would provide an opportunity to place farmers' experiences before the highest level of government.

For Nigeria's agricultural communities, however, the lasting value of the event will depend on whether discussions translate into policies and investments that improve production, strengthen livelihoods and make food systems more resilient.

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