By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Nigeria has taken a major step in promoting agritourism as a global development tool with the launch of an international advocacy campaign for the institutionalization of World Agritourism Day and the establishment of a specialized United Nations World Agritourism Organisation (UNWAO).
The initiative was unveiled on Wednesday during a World Press Conference in Abuja by the President of the World Agritourism Organisation (WAO), Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi.
Speaking at the event, Ogboi described agritourism as one of the most effective platforms for addressing food insecurity, climate change, youth unemployment, rural poverty and sustainable development challenges. He said the conference marked the beginning of a global consultation process ahead of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) scheduled for September 2026.
A key proposal presented at the conference is the formal recognition of World Agritourism Day, to be observed annually on May 16. According to Ogboi, the annual observance would serve as a global platform for promoting agriculture-tourism integration, encouraging investment, strengthening food systems and advancing climate-smart development initiatives across countries.
The WAO President also announced the 2027 global advocacy theme, “Smart Climate Agritourism for Sustainable Development,” which he said would focus on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable rural tourism, green investments, environmental sustainability, food security and youth and women empowerment. He noted that the theme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and global climate action priorities.
Ogboi explained that despite the growing importance of agritourism worldwide, there is currently no dedicated international institution responsible for coordinating policies, standards, regulations and financing mechanisms for the sector. He said the proposed UNWAO would fill this gap by providing a global framework for agritourism development and international cooperation.
According to him, the proposed organization would complement the work of existing international agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Tourism, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP) by focusing specifically on the intersection of agriculture, tourism, trade, investment and rural development.
He further emphasized that agritourism has the potential to contribute significantly to national and global security by creating employment opportunities, improving rural livelihoods and reducing poverty. He argued that strengthening local economies through agritourism could help address some of the underlying causes of insecurity, social instability and irregular migration.
As part of the broader initiative, the WAO is advocating the establishment of Global Agritourism Villages that would integrate agriculture, tourism, technology, investment, education and environmental sustainability.
The proposed villages would include demonstration farms, agro-processing facilities, farmers’ markets, innovation hubs, eco-lodges, training centres and renewable energy systems aimed at boosting rural economic development.
Ogboi also highlighted Nigeria’s strategic role in championing the initiative, citing the country’s vast agricultural resources, rich cultural heritage, large youth population and leadership position in Africa.
He revealed that efforts are ongoing with relevant government ministries, development partners and private-sector stakeholders to develop a National Agritourism Policy Framework that would support food security, economic diversification, investment promotion and tourism development.
He called on United Nations member states, diplomatic missions, development partners, financial institutions, investors, academic institutions, civil society groups and media organizations to support the institutionalization of World Agritourism Day, the development of global agritourism standards and the proposed establishment of UNWAO. He expressed optimism that the advocacy campaign would gather international support ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly and help position agritourism as a key driver of sustainable development worldwide.
