BOKISSONTHRONE: Do It Afraid Entrepreneurship Workshop Reveals the Future of Agriculture in Nigeria

Angel AdelajaAngel Adelaja, founder of Fresh Direct, We Farm Africa and former Senior Special Adviser to the President on Wealth creation,Olusola Sowemimo, founder Ope Farms, Adeniji Kolawole, Group Managing Director, Niji Group, Omilola Oshikoya, convener of the workshop, Toluwalola Kasali, moderator of panel discussion, Amaka Onyejianya, Co-founder Uwa Earth foods, Seun Abolaji, founder Wilson’s Juice Co.

Nigeria’s Agribusiness sector received a boost recently, when renowned wealth and financial expert, Omilola Oshikoya organized the first Do It Afraid Entrepreneurial Workshop tagged ‘Agribusiness, The Next Frontier’ on Sunday, 6th of March 2016.

Deji Williams, Wunmi Williams, Omilola Oshikoya and John Olugbenga Oshikoya

Commenting on the event, Omilola said: “The Nigerian Agricultural sector was in past decades, the biggest sector in the economy. Now, it contributes only approximately 23% to the GDP. This workshop was organized, with the aim of inspiring business minded individuals who out of fear, lack the will and conviction to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. I believe that with the country facing increasing economic uncertainties, developing the SME segment is vital to reducing the country’s rampant unemployment, thereby enhancing diversification from petro dollars and driving economic growth.”

The event had a panel session involving successful agro entrepreneurs

who shared their business lessons. Panelists included Olusola Sowemimo (Founder of Ope Farms), Seun Abolaji (Founder of Wilson’s Juice Company), Amaka Onyejianya, (Co-founder of Uwa Earth Foods), Adeniji Kolawole (GMD of Niji Group) and Angel Adelaja (Founder of Fresh Direct Produce and Agro-Allied services). Kola Masha, MD of Doreos Partners and Obaro Osah, Regional Head, Bank of Industry also answered questions about funding agribusinesses.

According to Obaro Osah, agribusiness entrepreneurs can access up to N50 million depending on the scale of operations. He added that BOI has launched a N10 billion fund specifically geared towards agriculture. The bank is also committed to offering free financial advisory services for current and potential entrepreneurs in the Agriculture business.

Speakers at the event included Olayiwola Olatunji of The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) who talked about Navigating Trends and Patterns, Temitope Jebutu, General Manager of AACE Foods who talked about Agriculture as the Next Frontier, and Ada Osakwe, CEO Agrolay Ventures who talked about opportunities in Creative Agribusiness Ventures.

There was also an Enterprise Development Clinic by Adeniyi Aromolaran (Chief Resource Officer), Nehemiah Resources Limited.

See more photos from the event below:

_Ada Osakwe_, founder of Agrolay Ventures

Ada Osakwe, founder Agrolay Ventures and former Senior Investment Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Omilola Oshikoya Africa’s premier wealth coach and convener of the Do It Afraid Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Workshop

_Nimi Akinkugbe_, Omilola Oshikoya Africa

Nimi Akinkugbe personal finance expert and CEO of Best Man Games Ltd, Omilola Oshikoya Africa’s premier wealth coach and Convener of the workshop, Olusola Sowemimo, founder Ope Farms

Omilola Oshikoya Africa’s premier wealth coach and convener of the Do It Afraid Agribusiness Entrepreneurship

Workshop

Mrs Ajibika Olawale and Mr Rotimi Olawale, Special Assistant (Media) to the Chairman of House Committee on Justice, House of Representative Abuja

Ajibika Olawale and Rotimi Olawale, Special Assistant (Media) to the Chairman of House Committee on Justice, House of Representative Abuja

Enterprise Development Clinic Session facilitated by Mr. Niyi Aromolaran founder of Nehemiah Group

Enterprise Development Clinic Session facilitated by Niyi Aromolaran founder of Nehemiah Group

Mr. Kola Masha, Managing Partner Doreo Partners and former Senior Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, Mrs Omilola Oshikoya, Mr Obaro Osah, Regional Head of Bank of Industry

Kola Masha, Managing Partner Doreo Partners and former Senior Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, Omilola Oshikoya, Obaro Osah, Regional Head of Bank of Industry

Adeseko, A. Michael Regional Head, National Agricultural Seeds Council, South West, guest and Olayiwola Olatunji, Representative of the Business Support Platform of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)