By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has reinforced its growing influence in global agricultural research and innovation, as the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) played a prominent role at the 23rd CGIAR System Council Meeting (SC23) held from 9 to 12 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The high-level meeting, hosted by the International Affairs Office of the UAE Presidential Court under Her Excellency Mariam Mohammed AlMheiri, brought together senior policymakers, development partners and heads of leading international agricultural research institutions to deliberate on strategies for building resilient, sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems worldwide. The participation of ARCN underscored Nigeria’s commitment to shaping global research priorities while advancing solutions tailored to local agricultural realities.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer to the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Khadijat O. Ameen, it was disclosed that Nigeria was represented by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of ARCN, Dr. Adamu Abubakar Dabban, who actively participated in plenary sessions, panel discussions and strategic side meetings with global partners.
The meeting featured top executives of the CGIAR system and its centres, including the Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, Dr. Ismahane Elouafi; Director General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Mr. Aly Abousabaa; Director General of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Dr. Bram Govaerts; Director General of WorldFish, Dr. Essam Mohammed; and Director General of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Dr. Juan Lucas Restrepo. Senior officials of major funding agencies, including the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), also participated.
Speaking on behalf of Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr. Dabban used the platform to highlight Nigeria’s agricultural research and innovation priorities, with particular emphasis on strengthening National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) to ensure that scientific breakthroughs translate into direct benefits for smallholder farmers.
He called for closer alignment between CGIAR investments and the practical needs of farmers, stressing that research funding must lead to measurable gains in productivity, climate resilience and rural livelihoods. According to him, African research institutions must play a more central role in designing, testing and implementing innovations so that global research outputs effectively address local challenges.
“The CGIAR financial report shows strong investment in agricultural research, which is very encouraging. However, the critical question is how these resources are reaching farmers and improving their lives on the ground,” Dr. Dabban said. “It is essential that rigorous data, transparent evaluation and effective monitoring mechanisms are in place to track the real-world impact of research and innovation, particularly for smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.”
The SC23 meeting also brought together senior representatives of regional and global agricultural research networks, including the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), Arab Network for Agricultural Research (AARINENA), Central Asia and Caucasus Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (CACAARI), European Forum on Agricultural Research for Development (EFARD) and Foro Regional de Agricultura (FORAGRO). Participants collectively reaffirmed their commitment to science-driven, inclusive and partnership-based approaches to transforming food, land and water systems globally.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Dr. Dabban held bilateral engagements with CGIAR centres and funding partners, focusing on collaboration, capacity building and technology transfer. He outlined ARCN’s ongoing programmes in crop improvement, sustainable livestock development, agricultural mechanisation and climate-smart agriculture, while advocating stronger alignment between ARCN initiatives and CGIAR’s global research agenda.
The meeting concluded with renewed commitments by participants to strengthen international research partnerships, promote inclusive innovation and ensure that investments in agricultural research deliver tangible, lasting benefits for farmers and communities, reinforcing Nigeria’s role as a key player in shaping the future of global agriculture.
