Alhaji Ahmadu E. Abdullahi, a former Deputy Clerk of the Senate at the National Assembly, has emerged as Chairman of the Kogi State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
Abdullahi was inaugurated alongside other members of the state executive council on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in Lokoja. The ceremony was conducted by the National President of AFAN, Dr. Faruk Rabiu Mudi, who was represented by the Deputy National President.
The 25-member executive council was elected through affirmation, as all the positions were unopposed.
Addressing the new executives, the AFAN National President urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by prioritising the welfare of farmers. He also called on the leadership to work closely with state and local governments in shaping and implementing agricultural policies that would have direct benefits for farmers.
In his acceptance speech, Abdullahi thanked God and farmers across Kogi State for the trust placed in him, describing the inauguration as a new chapter for AFAN in the state. He pledged to lead the association with dedication, transparency, honesty and justice, assuring members that the interests of genuine farmers would remain the core focus of his administration.
He reaffirmed the loyalty of the Kogi State AFAN executive to the national leadership under Dr. Mudi and pledged full support for national programmes aimed at improving farmers’ welfare. According to him, such initiatives include the introduction of digital identity cards for registered farmers, the creation of a national farmers’ databank, and partnerships with reputable non-governmental organisations to expand access to training, support and agricultural interventions.
Abdullahi also assured that the Kogi State AFAN executive would align with the agricultural policies of the state government, noting that Governor Usman Ododo has placed farmers at the centre of his vision to position Kogi as a major hub for agricultural production and food security. He said the association would collaborate with the state government, the House of Assembly, local governments, commodity associations, security agencies and other stakeholders to achieve this objective.
Acknowledging past challenges that affected the image of AFAN, the chairman pledged that the new leadership would operate an open and accountable system to restore confidence in the association and safeguard the interests of peasant and smallholder farmers. He also announced plans to strengthen AFAN structures at the local government and ward levels to ensure effective participation in national programmes, including the General Assembly of Farmers scheduled for January 2026.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by farmers from the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, representatives of commodity associations and security agencies. The Commander of the Agro Rangers Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who was present at the event, pledged the unit’s cooperation with the new AFAN leadership to enhance security for farmers and agricultural activities across the state.
