Nigeria has formally inaugurated the National Central Planning Committee (NCPC) to coordinate activities for the 3rd World Agritourism Day (WAD) Celebration.
The Day’s celebration is scheduled for 16 May 2026, both within the country and across the Diaspora.
The inauguration marks another milestone in the nation’s efforts to position itself as a global leader in agritourism and rural economic development.
World Agritourism Organisation, WAO and the annual World Agritourism Day Celebration were created under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) initiative of the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising food security, job creation, rural development, and foreign direct investment.
The NCPC inauguration was presided over by President of the WAO, Trust Ogboi who also serves as Chairman of the newly established committee.
Ogboi reaffirmed that Nigeria remains at the forefront of global efforts to establish the United Nations World Agritourism Organisation (UNWAO).
“Through platforms such as the World Agritourism Congress and the Agritourism Village Projects across all states and the FCT, the country continues to advocate for greater recognition of agritourism as a driver of economic advancement.
“The NCPC, with a tenure running from 2025 to December 2027, will work with Federal Ministries of Agriculture & Food Security, Art, Culture, Tourism & Creative Economy, and other critical MDAs,” he said.
Stakeholders from the private sector, academia, and international development bodies are also expected to collaborate in developing the national agenda for the 2026 celebration themed “Zero Hunger and End Poverty.”
National, State, and Diaspora Participation
Activities for the 2026 World Agritourism Day celebration will be implemented across three levels:
• Federal Level: A national flagship event led by WAO, NCPC and coordinating ministries.
• State Level: State Planning Committees will design programmes to deepen grassroots participation, enhance food security, and boost rural economic activities.
• Diaspora Level: Nigerian Missions, NIDO chapters and global partners will host virtual or physical events to stimulate international partnerships and investment inflows.
Programme Components and Stakeholder Responsibilities
The 2026 celebrations will feature exhibitions, agribusiness showcases, cultural events, media engagements, and investment forums.
Stakeholders are expected to nominate committee representatives, prepare work plans, mobilise participants, and support funding through government contributions, private sponsorships, and international partnerships.
The NCPC will also drive the development of Agritourism Village Projects nationwide one of Nigeria’s flagship contributions to the emerging global agritourism movement.
National Oversight and Expected Outcomes:
The OSGF will provide national oversight to ensure policy alignment and successful implementation, while WAO will continue its coordinating role for both national and international partnerships.
Expected outcomes of the 2025–2026 programme cycle include:
• Strengthened federal–state–diaspora collaboration
• Growth of Agritourism Village Projects across all states
• Enhanced food security and job creation
• Increased domestic and foreign investment
• Consolidation of Nigeria’s leadership in global agritourism under the UNWAO vision.
Olusola Akintonde