A coalition of fish farmers and aquaculture professionals under the National Aquaculture Professionals Alliance (NAPA) has expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Yazeed Shehu Danfulani as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), citing the decision as a significant step for agricultural stakeholders.

In a statement signed by its president, Engr. Ibrahim Ayotola Bamidele, NAPA described the appointment as a well-thought-out decision that signals renewed hope for players in Nigeria’s aquaculture and broader agricultural sector.

The group noted that fish farmers and agribusiness operators have faced longstanding challenges related to inadequate insurance coverage, particularly risks stemming from flooding, disease outbreaks, and production cost fluctuations.

“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,” Bamidele said.

Bamidele highlighted that the agriculture sector, particularly aquaculture, has struggled with limited access to insurance schemes that could protect farmers from financial losses.

“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 emphasized Danfulani’s background in finance, agriculture, and enterprise development, stating that it aligns with efforts to reposition NAIC as a farmer-oriented 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,” Bamidele said.

The group underscored the sector’s potential to contribute to food security, foreign exchange earnings, and employment, provided farmers are equipped with risk mitigation tools such as insurance.

“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 noted.

NAPA urged the new NAIC leadership to prioritise stakeholder engagement and bridge gaps between the agency and grassroots farmers.

“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 group said.

Bamidele also appealed to the Federal Government to support Danfulani’s leadership through policy frameworks and budgetary backing, ensuring alignment with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agriculture.

“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.”

NAPA pledged its commitment to collaboration, offering data sharing and awareness campaigns to encourage more farmers to adopt agricultural insurance policies.

“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 stated.

The coalition concluded by congratulating Danfulani on his appointment and encouraging him to begin implementing necessary reforms within NAIC.