Debo Akande to Receive Agricultural Trailblazer Award for Outstanding Contributions to Agribusiness
Dr. Debo Akande, Director General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) and Executive Adviser to the Governor of Oyo State on Agribusiness, is set to be honored with the prestigious Agricultural Trailblazer Award at the forthcoming Excellence in Agro-Business Lecture and Award ceremony.
This award recognizes his remarkable contributions to agribusiness, rural development, and food security in Oyo State and across Africa.
The award presentation and lecture, themed “Roots of Progress: Recognizing Excellence in Agribusiness and Rural Development”, will be held on November 21, 2024, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. The event aims to celebrate key figures in agribusiness whose efforts have driven progress in agricultural transformation and rural development.
Dr. Akande, who also holds a Director position at IITA with nearly 20 years of experience in research, agribusiness management, and international development, is being celebrated for his trailblazing work in transforming agribusiness in Oyo State and beyond. As the Director General of OYSADA, he has spearheaded numerous transformational programs, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), World Bank (WB) Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NCARES), and Rural Access and Mobility Program (RAMP). His leadership in the Youth Enterprise Agribusiness Program (YEAP) and the Start Them Early Program (STEP), aimed at agribusiness education, has also been transformative in engaging the next generation of farmers.
Dr. Akande is recognized internationally for his work in agribusiness and development management, having played a key role in several global agricultural initiatives. These include the World Bank Integrated Project for Agricultural Growth (PICAGL) in Africa’s Great Lakes region and the Multi-Donor AgResults Global Initiative, both of which have delivered verifiable success in boosting agricultural productivity and rural development. His work has also extended to consultancy engagements with major international organizations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, USAID, UK DFID, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
As part of his role with Oyo State, Dr. Akande oversees the management of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, where he has developed strategies that have enhanced the state’s agricultural sector, focusing on public-private partnerships, policy formulation, and capacity building for local farmers. Under his leadership, Oyo State has become a hub for agribusiness innovation, contributing significantly to food security and economic development.
The event will feature a keynote lecture by Professor Olorunfemi Oladapo Ogundele of the Agriculture and Food Policy Department at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan. Prof. Ogundele will provide insights into the role of agribusiness in Nigeria’s economic development and its impact on rural communities.
The ceremony will be chaired by Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in Oyo State. The Special Guest of Honour will be His Excellency Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, who has been a strong proponent of agribusiness reforms and investment in the state’s agricultural sector.
Dr. Akande holds a Doctoral Degree in Business Management with a focus on Agribusiness Strategy Development from the University of Hertfordshire, UK. He also possesses advanced degrees in International Development Studies and diplomas in various fields including International Environmental Law and Climate Change Management. He has been trained at prestigious institutions like Oxford University, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His professional affiliations include membership in the Global Consortium Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), where he is part of several flagship programs, including Food System and Healthier Diets.
With close to 20 publications to his name, Dr. Akande is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Managers Institute (CMI), UK, and has led several global initiatives aimed at improving agricultural policies, food systems, and agribusiness development across Africa.
This year’s Excellence in Agro-Business Lecture and Award organized by Chronicle Media is part of the organization’s continued commitment to promoting and recognizing exceptional achievements in the agricultural sector. The awards highlight the critical role agribusiness plays in boosting food security and economic stability, particularly in Oyo State, where agriculture remains a cornerstone of development.
As agricultural enthusiasts, policymakers, and stakeholders gather at the IITA, the event will serve as a platform to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and look ahead to new opportunities for growth in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector.
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