Nigeria’s agricultural sector is mourning the death of Architect Kabir Ibrahim, a former President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN).
Ibrahim, who was 67, reportedly died in Istanbul, Turkey, after developing complications following prostate surgery. His death was reported on August 31, 2026, with tributes already coming from different parts of Nigeria’s agricultural and agribusiness community.
Until his death, Ibrahim was the Chairman of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) and remained actively involved in discussions surrounding Nigeria’s agricultural development.
His death represents a significant loss to the farming community, particularly at a time when Nigeria is working to increase domestic food production, strengthen agribusiness and reduce dependence on imported food.
Long career in agriculture
Kabir Ibrahim was widely recognised as one of the prominent voices representing Nigerian farmers.
He served as President of the Poultry Association of Nigeria between 2008 and 2012, before becoming President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, where he served from 2014 to 2025. AFAN is one of the country’s major umbrella organisations representing farmers and agricultural groups.
Through these positions, Ibrahim regularly spoke about challenges affecting farmers across the country.
His advocacy covered issues including access to agricultural inputs, financing, insecurity, food production, market access and government policies affecting farmers.
He was also known for engaging government officials and other stakeholders on ways to improve Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
From architecture to farming
Although Ibrahim was trained as an architect, he later developed significant interests in agriculture and agribusiness.
He studied Architecture at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
After completing his National Youth Service, he established his consulting firm, Kebram Associates, in 1987.
He later moved further into agriculture and established Kebram Farms Ltd in 2001 and Kebram Agritrade Ltd in 2008. His agricultural activities covered areas including poultry, crop production and agricultural trading.
His combination of business experience and involvement in farmers’ organisations made him an important voice in discussions about Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
Leadership in the agribusiness sector
In 2024, Ibrahim became Chairman of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group, where he continued to advocate greater private-sector involvement in agriculture.
He also held other leadership positions within Nigeria’s business and agricultural community.
He served as chairman of the board of trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria from 2023 and was involved with the Agriculture Trade Group of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
Colleagues described him as someone who helped connect farmers, government institutions and private-sector operators.
AFAN mourns former president
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria has expressed grief over Ibrahim’s death.
AFAN National President Farouk Rabi’u Mudi described the death as a profound loss to the association and the wider farming community.
In a condolence message, Mudi extended sympathies to Ibrahim’s family, relatives, colleagues and associates.
He also prayed for the repose of the deceased and asked God to give his family and members of the agricultural community the strength to cope with the loss.
A loss to Nigeria’s agricultural sector
Ibrahim’s death comes at a challenging period for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Farmers continue to face difficulties involving rising production costs, insecurity, access to credit, inadequate infrastructure and climate-related challenges.
The country is also seeking to improve domestic food production and strengthen agricultural value chains to reduce reliance on imports.
Against this background, stakeholders say the loss of an experienced agricultural advocate such as Ibrahim will be deeply felt.
For more than two decades, he used his positions in farmers’ associations and agribusiness organisations to raise concerns about the conditions facing Nigerian farmers.
He frequently spoke publicly about policies needed to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.
Family and burial
Ibrahim is survived by his wife and six children.
Reports indicate that he is expected to be buried in Turkey, although details of the burial arrangements were not immediately available at the time of reporting.
As tributes continue to come in, agricultural stakeholders are remembering Ibrahim for his long involvement in farming, poultry production, agribusiness and farmers’ advocacy.
His death closes a significant chapter in the leadership of Nigeria’s farmers’ organisations, while leaving behind a record of decades of involvement in the country’s agricultural development.
