Building Solutions Through Expertise, Innovation and Leadership

John Babadara is an expert on agrifood systems, rural development, people leadership, food policy and social innovation in Africa. He has wide-ranging experience in international development and community initiatives, where he has led numerous market-oriented and community-driven agriculture programs in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and India. John serves on the advisory boards of WasteSmart Green-project Foundation and Business Arc and Leadership Network. He was formerly the Country Program Associate (Nigeria) of Precision Development Inc. for an IFAD-funded Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF). Before this, he was an agribusiness advisor on the YieldWise Project funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. In addition, John has a strong private sector background focusing on strategy development and entrepreneurship. In recognition of his dedication to advancing agrifood sector transformation in Nigeria, he was awarded the 2022-23 Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship at Cornell University, NY, USA. John is the founder and managing partner of AceAgric Agritech & Food Systems Innovation, working to unlock the potential of those who advance food and nutritional security, and rural prosperity in Africa. John is propelling agrifood sector growth end-to-end. Ultimately, he believes the global food system will benefit from a vibrant, food and nutrition-secured Africa.

Gbadamosi Oyewole is the Country Program Manager of the Ecological Organic Agriculture(EOA) Initiative in Nigeria. The EOA Initiative is a continental undertaking implemented under the guidance and oversight of the African Union (AU) chaired Continental Steering Committee. Oyewole brings expertise in research, farmers’ training and extension; agro value chain and market development. Having rose from the Program Assistant level to his current position implementing the EOA Initiative in Nigeria alongside eight (8) other African countries (Rwanda, Benin, Mali, Senegal, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania). He is the Chairman of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Certification in Nigeria; a group that certifies organic produce/products in Nigeria for the consumer market. Owned to his experience on several projects focused on consumers’ health and environment, Oyewole applies strategies that enhance women's and youth’s participation in agribusiness. For AceAgric, he coordinates the activities of the project team to deliver results in line with the market specification and approved program design. He is a dedicated professional and expert policy analyst offering leadership support to the team.

Abdulbasir Abubakar’s experience includes a diverse agricultural background with focus on sustainable agriculture in Nigeria. He also specializes on field research, crop production, efficient input usage, and pest and disease management. Under the FADAMA AF III Project, Abdulbashir supported the Katsina State government to create and deliver training on sustainable horticulture crop production. He also identified and facilitated new investments in the vegetable and fruits value chains. Furthermore, he coordinated the establishment of tomato farming clusters across the state’s perishable crop production zone. He was the lead agronomist at Dangote TomatoProcessing Company, providing expertise on open field and greenhouse tomato production for the factory. Abdulbasir brings experience on strategic engagement having worked with large agricultural companies, input manufacturers, fertilizer companies, industrial processor, government and nongovernmental organizations. He leads AceAgric agriculture portfolio and partnership development, providing technical leadership to program activities related to agriculture.

Mercy Akinloye is a distinguished agricultural economist and educator, deeply committed to advancing agricultural research and enhancing capacity building across the agrifood value chain. As a Senior Research Associate at AceAgric Agritech & Food Systems Innovation Ltd., she leads extensive research initiatives aimed at identifying opportunities for growth and innovation within the agricultural sector. With a passion for driving positive change, Mercy leverages her expertise to conduct randomized controlled studies and develop strategic solutions that address pressing challenges in agriculture. Her multifaceted role involves analyzing market dynamics, assessing policy implications, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to promote sustainable agricultural development. Mercy holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Agricultural Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, underscoring her strong academic background in the field. Continuously striving for excellence, Mercy remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation through ongoing research, professional development, and active engagement in industry events and conferences. She plays a pivotal role in empowering stakeholders with evidence-based insights towards agrifood sector transformation in Africa.

Oluwamayowa Ogunkoya is a highly accomplished business developer and data analyst at Aceagric Agritech, renowned for his expertise in optimizing agricultural processes and driving sustainable growth. With a proven track record, Oluwamayowa excels in identifying and implementing innovative strategies, resulting in a remarkable increase in productivity. His leadership extends to successful product launches, where he crafted and executed a comprehensive product roadmap and go-to-market strategy, propelling the company to new heights. Oluwamayowa is incredibly gifted in client prospecting and converting engagements to business opportunities. He also serves as a mentor to interns and provides overall team leadership for the business development unit at AceAgric.

Victoria Babadara is a dedicated program specialist with wide-ranging experience across business, education, media and non-profit sectors. She has led high-level programs focused on circular economy, sustainability, and emerging technologies for livelihood improvement. Victoria has a vast knowledge of project management frameworks, market research, consumer analysis, and stakeholder management. She works at AceAgric Agritech as a Program Officer (Data, Policy and Communications) leveraging technology, research, and development initiatives to lead system change for better livelihood. She is also skilled at data management, deploying analytic tools and machine learning to generate insights to inform policy design, market forecasting and corporate strategy.