Our Speaker

HE.Mr. Otunba Babatola Faseru

The Honourable Minister for Agriculture & Food Security for Osun State (Province) in Nigeria.

HE.Mr. Otunba Babatola Faseru is currently the Minister for Agriculture & Food Security for Osun State (Province) in Nigeria.

He is a highly accomplished Nigerian entrepreneur, politician, and industry leader. He holds a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Ilorin and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Obafemi Awolowo University. He is the founder of Colossus Investments Ltd and has built an impressive career in the banking sector, serving in key positions at Lead Merchant Bank and First Bank of Nigeria.

Leadership in the Cashew Industry

Otunba Faseru is widely recognized as one of the foremost champions of the cashew industry in Africa. He served as:

• President of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) (2011 – 2020)
• President of the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) (Dec. 2020 – Sept 2024)

During his tenure, he achieved remarkable milestones:

• Increased Nigeria’s cashew production from 100,000 MT in 2011 to 250,000 MT by 2020.
• Boosted cashew export earnings from $50 million to $250 million.
• Opened the Vietnamese market to Nigerian cashews, securing an MOU for 80,000 MT exports valued at $60 million.
• Improved the global quality reputation of Nigerian cashew.

His advocacy also led to cashew’s recognition as a transformational crop under Nigeria’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) in 2013, and its inclusion among 13 strategic products for economic diversification in 2015.

For his impact, he received multiple honors, including:

• Benin Cashew Award (2021)
• Salvage African Advocate Initiative’s Africa Award (2022)

Political Career & Public Service

In July 2023, he was appointed Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Osun State by His Excellency, Governor Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke.

In this role, he has championed initiatives to:

• Expand planting hectarage for key crops such as cocoa, rice, cashew, and cassava.
• Distribute high-yield seedlings to farmers.
• Promote mechanized farming practices.

These efforts are geared toward positioning Osun State as Nigeria’s food basket.

Social and Religious Engagements

Beyond his professional pursuits, Otunba Faseru is actively engaged in religious, traditional, and social spheres. He holds several prestigious titles and maintains membership in respected clubs and organizations.

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