The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has asserted Nigeria’s leadership in agricultural research on the global stage through active engagement at the 23rd CGIAR System Council Meeting (SC23), held from 9–12 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The high-level meeting, hosted by the International Affairs Office of the UAE Presidential Court under H.E. Mariam Mohammed AlMheiri, convened senior policymakers, development partners, and executives of global agricultural research institutions to discuss strategies for resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agri-food systems.
In a statement, Khadijat Ameen, the Public Relations Officer to Executive Secretary of ARCN, noted that among the distinguished participants were Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR; Mr. Aly Abousabaa, Director General of ICARDA; Dr. Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT; Dr. Essam Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish; and Dr. Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. Senior representatives of funding agencies, including the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), also took part in the deliberations.
Representing Nigeria, Dr. Adamu Abubakar Dabban, Executive Secretary and CEO of ARCN, engaged actively in plenary sessions, panel discussions, and strategic side meetings with global partners.
He highlighted Nigeria’s agricultural research and innovation priorities, emphasising the need to strengthen National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) to ensure that smallholder farmers directly benefit from scientific advancements.
Speaking on behalf of Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr. Dabban called for a closer alignment of CGIAR investments with the real needs of farmers, stressing that research funding should translate into measurable improvements in productivity, resilience, and livelihoods.
He urged African research institutions to take a more active role in designing, testing, and implementing innovations, ensuring that scientific outputs effectively address local agricultural 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 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 included senior representatives of regional and global agricultural research networks, such as 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).
The gathering reaffirmed a shared commitment to science-driven, inclusive, and partnership-oriented approaches to transforming food, land, and water systems worldwide.
Dr. Dabban’s bilateral engagements with CGIAR centres and funding partners focused on collaboration, capacity building, and technology transfer.
He outlined ARCN’s ongoing programmes in crop improvement, sustainable livestock development, mechanisation, and climate-smart agriculture, advocating for stronger alignment with CGIAR’s global research priorities.
The meeting concluded with renewed commitments to strengthen international research partnerships, promote inclusive innovation, and ensure that investments in agricultural research lead to tangible outcomes for farmers and communities.
