The death of Architect Kabiru Ibrahim Faskari in Istanbul, Turkey, has ended the remarkable journey of a Katsina-born professional who successfully crossed the boundaries of architecture, business and agriculture to become one of Nigeria’s influential advocates for farmers and agricultural development.
The late Faskari, a former National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), died at the age of 67 following reported complications from prostate surgery.
At the time of his death, he was serving as Chairman of the Nigeria Agriculture Business Group (NABG), where he remained actively involved in promoting agricultural development, food security and greater private-sector participation in Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
Sources close to Faskari said that beyond the positions he held and the titles attached to his name, he represented a generation of Nigerian agricultural leaders who understood farming not merely as a rural occupation, but as a business capable of transforming the country’s economy.
He was widely regarded as a symbol of modern agriculture during his lifetime.
Born in 1959 in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, Faskari began his professional journey in a field entirely different from the one that would eventually bring him national prominence.
He attended Government Secondary School Katsina, before proceeding to the Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria for his Advanced Level education. He subsequently studied Architecture at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees between 1978 and 1983.
After completing his National Youth Service Corps programme in Owerri in 1983/84, he pursued a career in architecture and later established Kebram Associates, a consulting firm, in 1987. The firm eventually became closely associated with his identity, earning him the nickname ‘Kebram’ among his peers.
His accomplishments in architecture eventually earned him recognition as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.
Ironically, agriculture later became the field through which his voice was heard most prominently across Nigeria. He ventured into agriculture not as a temporary business interest, but as a means of survival and livelihood. Within a short period, he built businesses around the sector’s value chain, establishing Kebram Farms Limited in 2001 and later Kebram Agritrade Limited in 2008.
His agricultural interests covered poultry production, crop farming and agricultural trade. Through these ventures, he gained first-hand knowledge of the realities confronting Nigerian farmers, including the rising cost of inputs, difficulty accessing finance, insecurity, market challenges and the persistent struggle to make agriculture profitable.
The welfare of rural farmers became one of his major concerns.
Unlike many commentators in the sector who spoke about agriculture from government offices and conference halls, Faskari’s advocacy was rooted in practical involvement in farming and agribusiness.
He understood the frustrations of farmers and regularly spoke about policies needed to increase food production, make farming more sustainable and profitable, and attract more investors into the sector.
According to a Kano-based poultry farmer, Alhaji Aminu Gayos, a single meeting with Faskari sparked his interest in poultry farming.
Gayos explained that Faskari introduced him to poultry farming, adding that his growing influence in the agricultural sector eventually propelled him into national leadership.
‘I never thought in my life I would be a poultry farmer, but I was fortunate to meet him in Kano during a workshop, and we got talking. He brought to my knowledge what it takes to be a successful poultry farmer.
‘When, between 2008 and 2012, Faskari served as President of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), I wasn’t surprised. He was so helpful during a period when the industry faced major challenges, ranging from the high cost of feed and disease outbreaks to competition from imported products,’ Gayos said.
Gayos said that while Faskari was PAN president, he emerged as one of the prominent voices defending the interests of poultry farmers, particularly during the bird flu outbreaks in Nigeria.
He added that Faskari’s leadership style also established him as a familiar figure in national discussions on food production and agricultural policy.
Similarly, the Kano State chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Haruna Aliyu, said that during Faskari’s tenure as National President of AFAN, the umbrella body for Nigerian farmers, the association experienced greater unity among its various arms.
He said Faskari occupied a position that placed him at the centre of agricultural policy discussions for more than a decade.
‘No doubt, his tenure as AFAN president was a period when agriculture increasingly became central to Nigeria’s economic and food security policies.
‘He was the catalyst that made the sector vibrant and attractive at a moment when the country was confronted with rapid population growth, rising food prices, insecurity in farming communities and repeated calls for Nigeria to reduce its dependence on imported food.
‘It will interest you to note that late Faskari consistently argued that farmers needed more than promises, as he pushed for interventions that frequently focused on access to affordable financing, quality agricultural inputs, improved infrastructure, security for farming communities and policies capable of making agriculture attractive as a business.
‘Indeed, the agricultural sector has lost a rare gem. May Allah forgive all his shortcomings,’ Alhaji Abubakar said.
Many farmers who worked with Faskari over the years regarded him as a bridge between farmers, government and the private sector.
Even after his tenure as AFAN president, he remained deeply involved in the agricultural sector and continued to serve as a voice for farmers.
He later became Chairman of the Nigeria Agriculture Business Group, where he continued to advocate greater private-sector participation and policy reforms.
During his lifetime, he held several other important positions, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria. He was also associated with several agricultural trade and business organisations, reflecting his belief that Nigeria’s agricultural future depended on stronger collaboration among farmers, businesses and government.
According to a tomato farmer in Jigawa State, Alhaji Adhama Abdul Ringim, Faskari’s approach to agriculture was broader than farming alone, as he viewed the sector as a complete value chain, from production and processing to transportation, marketing and trade.
Ringim said that perspective made Faskari an important voice in conversations about how Nigeria could achieve food security while creating jobs and building a competitive agricultural economy.
For many farmers in Katsina State, Faskari’s death represents the loss of one of the state’s prominent sons whose influence extended far beyond its borders, as he carried the identity of his home state into national and international agricultural discussions.
For Abba Katsina, a former international media practitioner, Faskari’s success reflected the contributions of many Katsina professionals who have made their mark in public service, business, education and other sectors of Nigeria’s national life.
‘Late Faskari was always concerned as farmers in many communities continued to face difficulties accessing their farmlands, while rising production costs and insecurity combined to threaten food production. Advocacy for a way out for grassroots farmers had always been his priority,’ Abba said.
Perhaps the most enduring legacy of Faskari will not be found only in the organisations he led, but also in the conversations he helped sustain about the future of Nigerian agriculture and the welfare of farmers.
His journey-from an architect trained at Ahmadu Bello University to the leader of some of Nigeria’s foremost farmers’ organisations-demonstrated how professional expertise could be successfully combined with entrepreneurship and public advocacy.
For decades, he spoke for farmers who often had limited access to the corridors of power. He gave Nigerian farmers a voice.
He was an architect by training, an agribusinessman by practice and, ultimately, one of Nigeria’s enduring voices for the Nigerian farmer.
May his soul rest in peace!