President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been hailed for appointing Yazeed Shehu Danfulani as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), describing the move as a “strategic boost” for the agriculture sector.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by National Aquaculture Professionals Alliance (NAPA) President, Engr. Ibrahim Ayotola Bamidele, the group said Danfulani’s appointment marks a “well-thought-out decision” that signals renewed hope for players in aquaculture and broader agriculture.
Bamidele said the appointment comes at a critical time when fish farmers and agribusiness operators face mounting risks from flooding, disease outbreaks, and unstable production costs—often without any form of insurance coverage.
“This appointment is timely and deeply commendable. We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating visionary leadership by placing someone of Yazeed Danfulani’s calibre at the helm of NAIC,” he said.
He noted that the aquaculture industry has long suffered from inadequate insurance structures, which has discouraged investment and left many farmers vulnerable.
“Fish farmers in Nigeria often operate in high-risk environments, with little to no coverage in the event of disaster. The coming of Mr. Danfulani offers renewed confidence that our concerns will finally be addressed through purposeful reforms,” he added.
Bamidele pointed to Danfulani’s experience in finance, agriculture, and enterprise development as ideal for transforming NAIC into a farmer-focused institution.
“We are optimistic that he will initiate innovative policies and develop farmer-friendly insurance packages that are both affordable and accessible, particularly to small and medium-scale fish farmers,” he said.
The group argued that a revamped NAIC under Danfulani could attract more young people into agriculture and significantly enhance Nigeria’s food security and employment levels.
“The reason many young Nigerians avoid agriculture is because of the risks. But if NAIC is repositioned under Danfulani to offer responsive insurance schemes and timely payouts, more people will be willing to invest in farming,” Bamidele stated.
The group urged the new NAIC leadership to bridge the gap between the agency and grassroots farmers by engaging directly with stakeholders.
“We urge Mr. Danfulani to work closely with associations like ours. Let NAIC move from being a name on paper to being a visible support system for farmers across Nigeria. Organise sensitisation drives. Meet us where we are — in hatcheries, ponds, and markets,” the statement read.
NAPA also called on the Federal Government to provide the policy and budgetary support needed to enable Danfulani’s leadership to succeed under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The agricultural sector is key to the Tinubu administration’s diversification agenda. We urge Mr. President to give NAIC and its new leadership the resources, legal backing, and institutional support required to succeed,” Bamidele said.
NAPA pledged to collaborate with NAIC through data sharing, awareness campaigns, and grassroots outreach.
“This appointment means nothing if we don’t take advantage of it. We are ready to partner with NAIC to sensitise our members and ensure that the benefits of insurance are felt across the sector,” Bamidele added.