Ondo Education Commissioner, Ajibefun, to Deliver D Chronicle Media 2026 Agribusiness Lecture
Distinguished agricultural economist and Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Amos Ajibefun, has been announced as the Guest Speaker for the 2026 Excellence in Agribusiness Lecture and Award Programme organized by D Chronicle Media Ventures.
The event is scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the OSDPC Multipurpose Event Hall, Ijapo Estate, Akure, beginning at 2:00 p.m. This year’s lecture is themed “Unlocking the Agricultural Tax Potentials: Strategies for Enhancing Ondo State IGR,” and is expected to bring together policymakers, academics, agribusiness investors, farmers, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector to explore innovative approaches to economic growth and revenue generation.
The programme will be chaired by Hon. (Engr.) Leye Akinola, Honourable Commissioner for Forestry, Ondo State, while Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is expected as the Special Guest of Honour.
Professor Ajibefun’s selection as Guest Speaker reflects his outstanding reputation as a scholar, administrator, and development expert whose career has spanned education, agricultural economics, public policy, and institutional leadership.
His pursuit of knowledge took him beyond Nigeria’s borders through prestigious research fellowships at Kyoto University, Japan; the University of New England, Australia; and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, experiences that enriched his expertise in agricultural economics and development policy.
Since joining FUTA as an Assistant Lecturer in 1993, Professor Ajibefun has risen to become one of Nigeria’s most respected academics, attaining the rank of Professor of Agricultural Economics in 2009. His distinguished leadership credentials were further demonstrated during his tenure as Rector of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, where he was widely credited with repositioning the institution and improving its academic and administrative standards.
He later served as the fifth substantive Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), where his visionary leadership contributed significantly to the institution’s growth and academic development. In recognition of his wealth of experience and administrative competence, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa appointed him Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in July 2025.
A respected consultant to international organizations including USAID, the World Bank, and IFAD, Professor Ajibefun is also a member of several professional bodies across Africa, Europe, and Asia. His expertise covers agricultural economics, entrepreneurship, farm management, rural development, and education policy.
According to the organizers, participants at the lecture can expect valuable insights from a scholar whose academic accomplishments and practical experience in governance uniquely position him to address the opportunities and challenges surrounding agricultural taxation and revenue generation in Ondo State.
As anticipation builds for the 2026 Excellence in Agribusiness Lecture and Award Programme, stakeholders are expected to benefit from Professor Ajibefun’s wealth of knowledge and experience in charting a sustainable path for agricultural development and economic prosperity in Ondo State.
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