We are pleased to welcome the new YPARD Nigeria Country Representative, Akinbowale Showemimo.
Akinbowale holds a bachelor's degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria and a master's degree in Geographical Information Systems from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Akinbowale started his career as an extension officer in the Department of Agricultural Services, Abeokuta, Ogun state where he worked with a team in engaging farmers on Small Plot Adaptation techniques and linking farmers with relevant solutions for their challenges.
Akinbowale also worked with Asher Ltd as a Farm Manager and this is where he gained popularity as one of Nigeria's foremost fish farmers earning him the nickname 'Akin fish'. Akinbowale has since worked with a plethora of fish farmers across Nigeria and consulted for fish farms in other countries of Africa.
An active YouTuber, Akinbowale promotes agriculture through his social media handles with thousands of subscribers, teaching and inspiring other young people along their agricultural journey in a relatable and captivating way. He is featured regularly as a trainer and facilitator at capacity building programs and youth development initiatives in agriculture.
Very recently, He has served on community development and Agricultural development programs for development organizations such as YIAGA Africa, DAWN Commission and Sycamore Leadership Initiative.
Akinbowale is very passionate about youth involvement in promoting food security and sustainable agriculture. He believes that youth have the creativity and enthusiasm to drive positive change in sustainable food production. He considers his role as Nigeria's YPARD country representative as a great chance to engage and lead young people passionate about agriculture to actively contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural systems through innovation, collaboration and policy influencing.
In his words 'my motivation as the Country Representative is my drive to contribute to an agro-led development where youth occupy the central stage for promoting food security, creating jobs, sustainable development and strengthening youth capacity in Nigeria'.
YPARD Nigeria Country representative Akinbowale Showemimo. Photo credit: YPARD Nigeria
Akinbowale has been a committed member of YPARD since 2017. He served as the YPARD local representative for Oyo state, in Nigeria.
He is determined to continue the good work of Eric Nyikwagh, the former representative for YPARD Nigeria. We express our profound gratitude to Eric for the time invested in the country chapter and we are glad to know that he will continue to be part of the National Coordinating Unit in an advisory role to the new country representative, position that he had for four years, as well as a member of the YPARD Nigeria Advisory Board.
If you are from or based in Nigeria and want to get involved in YPARD Nigeria activities, please contact Akinbowale at ypardnigeria@gmail.com
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