Former Senate Deputy Clerk, Ahmadu E. Abdullahi Emerges Farmers Chair

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) following the inauguration of the state executive council held on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, in Lokoja.

The inauguration ceremony was performed by the National President of AFAN, Dr. Faruk Rabiu Mudi, who was represented by the Deputy National President. The election of the 25-member executive council was conducted through affirmation, as all positions were unopposed.

In his address, the National President charged the newly inaugurated executives to justify the confidence reposed in them by Kogi farmers by making farmers’ welfare the core focus of their activities. He also urged them to work closely with state and local governments in shaping and implementing agricultural policies that would directly benefit farmers.

In his acceptance speech, Alhaji Abdullahi expressed gratitude to God and to farmers across the state for the trust placed in him, describing the inauguration as a turning point for AFAN in Kogi State. He pledged to lead the association with dedication, transparency, honesty and justice, assuring members that the interests of genuine farmers would remain paramount under his leadership.

He reaffirmed the loyalty of the Kogi State executive to the national leadership of AFAN under Dr. Faruk Rabiu Mudi and pledged full support for national programmes designed to improve farmers’ welfare. He highlighted initiatives such as the digital identity card for registered farmers, the establishment of a national farmers’ data bank, and strategic partnerships with reputable non-governmental organisations to enhance access to training, support and agricultural interventions.

Alhaji Abdullahi also assured that the Kogi State AFAN executive would align with the agricultural policies of the Kogi State Government, noting that Governor Usman Ododo has placed farmers at the centre of his vision to position the state 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 goal.

Acknowledging past challenges affecting the image of AFAN, the chairman pledged that the new executive would operate an open and accountable system that restores confidence in the association and protects the interests of peasant and smallholder farmers. He also announced plans to strengthen AFAN’s 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 event was witnessed by farmers from the three senatorial districts of the state, representatives of commodity associations and security agencies. The Commander of the Agro Rangers Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who attended the ceremony, pledged the unit’s cooperation with the new AFAN executive to enhance security for farmers and agricultural activities across Kogi State.