IITA–CGIAR works closely with private sector actors and governments across Africa to improve livelihoods, strengthen food and nutrition security, create employment opportunities, and safeguard natural resources. In advancement of this mission, an IITA delegation visited Lagos Business School (LBS) on 26 February to formalize their already existing relationship and expand the scope of collaboration between the two institutions.
In his opening remarks, the Director of LBS Executive Education Dr Victor Banjo, recalled IITA hosting the LBS team last year, emphasizing that both institutions have already built a strong working relationship. He noted that while collaboration has been ongoing, formalizing the partnership would provide a clearer framework for deeper and more structured engagement.
Representing IITA’s Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, Tahirou Abdoulaye, the Director of the IITA Business Incubation Platform, Adebowale Akande, expressed his delight at the formalization of the partnership. He acknowledged that the collaboration could have been established years ago but said he was pleased that the process was now being completed. Although both institutions have engaged informally over time, he stressed that formalizing the relationship would broaden opportunities for impact. “We look forward to a strong partnership,” he stated.
Akande further highlighted the alignment between IITA and LBS’s mission, and, alongside the LBS Academic Director for the Agribusiness Management Programme, Dr Jide Adedeji, proposed key areas for collaboration. These include joint research initiatives, knowledge exchange engagements between IITA scientists and LBS students, and the commercialization of IITA’s innovations. He noted that, as a not-for-profit research institute, IITA relies on private-sector partnerships to successfully commercialize its technologies and innovations.
Also speaking at the meeting, the IITA Programs Manager for the Capacity Development Office, Olumodupe Banwo, suggested that LBS could leverage IITA’s expertise and resources through capacity-building initiatives, practical boot camps hosted at IITA facilities, and periodic knowledge-sharing sessions where IITA staff would engage LBS participants on the Institute’s work and impact.
In support of these proposals, Banjo recommended establishing a joint working group to drive implementation and ensure that identified areas of collaboration translate into measurable outcomes.
The visit climaxed in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Akande signing on behalf of IITA and Banjo representing LBS, thereby formalizing the partnership between the two institutions.
Contributed by Ochuwa Favour Daramola
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