By Barbara Nwaiwu
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has been selected by the African Association of Insect Scientists (AAIS) to receive the Award for Transformational Leadership in Food Security and Agricultural Resilience.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, who said Fintiri is the only serving Nigerian governor selected for the continental honour.
According to the statement, the award recognises outstanding leadership in advancing food security and sustainable agricultural development across Africa.
It said the award will be presented to the governor on October 19, 2026 during the opening ceremony of the AAIS 26th Biennial International Conference at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja.
The statement said the AAIS leadership selected Fintiri following deliberations ahead of the conference in recognition of his commitment to strengthening food security, revitalising agriculture and rebuilding rural livelihoods in the post-insurgency period.
It added that the association also recognised the Adamawa State Government’s sustained investments in rural infrastructure, support for farming communities and policies promoting climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural development.
“The governor’s achievements reflect purposeful, people-centred leadership that has improved livelihoods and contributed to agricultural transformation across the continent,” the statement said.
The statement noted that the recognition highlights Adamawa State’s growing profile as a centre for agricultural innovation and rural development.
It added that the award places the governor among African leaders recognised for their contributions to food security, environmental sustainability and agricultural resilience.
The African Association of Insect Scientists is a continental professional body dedicated to promoting insect science to improve agricultural productivity, biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and food security across Africa.