By Mustafa Abubakar and Felicia Samuel
Global agricultural experts and alumni of the University of Ilorin have urged students and young academics of the University to fully embrace emerging career pathways in agricultural finance, agribusiness, Artificial Intelligence, trade policy, and international development.
The call was made last Thursday (November 6, 2025) during the maiden Agricultural Economics Career Pathways Webinar organised by the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management of the University.
The webinar, themed “Exploring Career Pathways with Agricultural Economic Skills for the Future,” sought to inspire students and recent graduates to think beyond traditional career routes, particularly banking roles, and position themselves for high-impact opportunities in global food systems and digitally driven agriculture.
Welcoming participants, the Head of the Department, Dr Khadijat Busola Amolegbe, described the event as a landmark initiative designed to equip students with clarity, exposure, and confidence to thrive in modern agricultural industries.
In his opening speech, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Israel Ogunlade, commended the speakers, all proud alumni of the Faculty, for their commitment to giving back to their alma mater.
Prof. Ogunlade appealed for deeper alumni involvement to bridge resource gaps that hinder world-class academic and research delivery, stressing that a stronger alumni network is essential to institutional excellence.
In the first presentation, Prof. Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho, the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University, traced the evolution and global relevance of agricultural economics.
Prof. Omotesho emphasised the discipline’s role in sustainable food systems, policy development, and rural transformation, urging students to maintain intellectual curiosity and commit to continuous knowledge advancement.
Dr Michael Adeoye of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc.), speaking proudly as an alumnus, explored opportunities in agricultural finance, investment, policy, and agri-tech. He stressed the need for value-chain analysis skills, digital literacy, data analytics, strong communication capability, and continuous professional growth. He encouraged students to pursue impact-driven careers and leverage professional platforms like the Association of Agricultural Economists.
Representing Afreximbank, Mrs Adepeju Ilupeju highlighted Africa’s projected trillion-dollar food sector by 2030 and emphasised the importance of trade, value addition, regional market intelligence, and technology use.
She encouraged young economists to explore grants, development funding, and cross-border agribusiness opportunities, sharing a personal example of missed opportunities to reinforce the value of timely action and informed decision-making.
Mr Yinka Iyinolakan, founder of CDIAL AI, discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence in transforming agriculture through precision farming, automation, and predictive analytics.
He shared insights on his company’s work in developing African language AI systems and tools like StakeStack for lifelong learning, reminding participants that AI is an enabler, not a substitute for human capacity.
He called for digital agility and proactive skill development.
Dr Sheu Salau, Senior Agricultural Economist at the World Bank, focused on global development and policy-driven career pathways.
He highlighted the importance of strong quantitative skills, effective policy communication, and specialised technical competencies.
He encouraged students to pursue internships, fellowships, and certifications to build globally competitive profiles and contribute meaningfully to national and international development efforts.
The session collectively agreed on the need for sustained mentorship, continuous knowledge building, and deeper alumni engagement to support the Department’s vision. They also reaffirmed their commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders capable of driving innovation and transformation within Africa’s food systems.
