By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to position itself as a global leader in agritourism, food security and sustainable rural development through the proposed World Agritourism Centre (WAC), a flagship initiative being championed by the World Agritourism Organisation (WAO).
The organisation said the project is designed to transform agriculture into a major driver of economic growth, investment attraction, tourism development, climate resilience and agro-industrialisation across Africa and beyond.
The President of WAO and Global Lead Advocate for the proposed United Nations World Agritourism Organisation (UNWAO), Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi, said the initiative reflects a long-term vision to create a globally recognised platform that integrates agriculture, tourism, innovation, trade and sustainable development.
According to him, WAO was inaugurated through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation under the Presidency to promote agritourism development under the Global Public-Private Partnership Cooperation Framework (GPPPCF).
The organisation is also leading international advocacy for the institutionalisation of World Agritourism Day, proposed to be observed annually on May 16, while supporting efforts for the establishment and recognition of the United Nations World Agritourism Organisation.
WAO disclosed that Nigeria’s bid for consideration of the initiative is being promoted ahead of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for September 2026, subject to applicable United Nations procedures and decisions.
The proposed World Agritourism Centre received renewed attention following its groundbreaking ceremony held in February 2025 at Orifa Itakpa in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State.
The event was organised in partnership with the Benue State Government, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, WAO, the All Farmers Progressive Association and the host community.
The Centre, which is proposed to occupy about 16,000 hectares of land, is envisioned as a world-class destination for agritourism, agricultural innovation, research, education, agro-processing, investment promotion and sustainable rural transformation.
WAO said the facility will serve as a permanent international platform connecting governments, development institutions, investors, financial organisations, farmers, researchers, universities, tourism operators and agribusiness stakeholders to advance food security and climate-smart agriculture.
The master plan includes an international convention and exhibition centre, innovation and research campus, smart farming demonstration zones, agro-processing and export facilities, cargo logistics hub, horticulture and livestock villages, aquaculture centres, botanical gardens, cultural heritage attractions, hotels, wellness resorts and renewable energy parks.
Explaining the choice of Benue State, the organisation noted that the state remains Nigeria’s leading food-producing region, possesses vast fertile agricultural land, enjoys a strategic location for agricultural trade and offers significant opportunities for agro-processing, exports and tourism development.
Ogboi called on governments, diplomatic missions, multilateral institutions, development finance organisations, sovereign wealth funds, investors and development partners worldwide to support the project, expressing confidence that the World Agritourism Centre would become a landmark destination for agritourism, agricultural innovation and sustainable economic transformation while positioning Nigeria at the forefront of global agritourism development.
