In a visit full of warmth and shared purpose, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo, recently toured the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan. His goal: to build stronger partnerships that will help transform agriculture across Africa.
Ambassador Bazivamo was welcomed by Dr. Simeon Ehui, the Director General of IITA. Dr. Ehui praised the Ambassador’s deep roots in farming. “Your background connects with our mission,” he said. “We’re excited to work together and achieve big things in African agriculture.”
For the Ambassador, the visit was personal. “Coming to IITA is a dream come true,” he shared. “I’ve followed your work for years. What you’re doing for food security in Africa is inspiring.”
The talks focused on practical ways Rwanda can benefit from IITA’s research. This includes safe ways to fight aflatoxins in crops, turning cassava waste into animal feed, and using climate-smart techniques to adapt to changing weather. Youth development was also high on the agenda.
Ambassador Bazivamo noted that Rwanda and Nigeria already work together in areas like defense, education, and aviation. He believes IITA, with its presence in both countries, can help deepen those ties through agriculture.
Dr. Ehui confirmed IITA’s ongoing work in Rwanda—especially in banana and cassava research, seed development, and digital farming tools. He emphasized the need to support young people and help smallholder farmers benefit from science and innovation.
Both leaders agreed: research must be shared with the people who need it most. That means better communication and strong local partnerships to get new ideas into the hands of farmers.
As the visit came to a close, Ambassador Bazivamo made Rwanda’s position clear. “We value our relationship with IITA,” he said. “We’re ready to do more. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient food system for Africa.”
