Who We Are

Oliver Kiptoo Kirui is a Research Fellow and Acting Program Leader for Nigeria in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based in Abuja, Nigeria, where he supports the development of research-based policy solutions; coalition-building for policy change; co-creating innovative analytical tools in close collaboration with several partners.

Oliver conducts and supports research related to several policy-relevant topics including agricultural and economic transformation, markets and trade, livelihoods and nutrition, development strategy and investment planning, and resilience of agriculture under climate change and extreme weather events. He is experienced in managing and conducting evidence-based research, building coalitions and working with multiple stakeholders, and conceptualizing, conducting, and communicating research outputs to various audiences.

Prior to joining IFPRI, Oliver worked as a Senior Researcher and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany, and as a Research Associate at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). He received his PhD in Development Economics from the University of Bonn.

Amina Bashir is a Senior Program Assistant in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based in Abuja, Nigeria, where she supports both administrative and finance issues. Prior to joining IFPRI, she worked with the International Fertilizer Centre (IFDC) under the Nigeria Agro-dealers Association (NADS) project as an Association Development Officer, contributing to grassroots development initiatives through administrative and finance support. Amina holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Maiduguri, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Bayero University Kano, and a master’s degree in Development Studies from Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.

Augustine Iraoya is a Research Analyst in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based in Abuja, Nigeria. His research focuses on agriculture, trade, poverty, rural livelihoods, and food systems. Prior to joining IFPRI, he was a Research Associate at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA, and, as a Teaching Assistant, taught microeconomics and supported fieldwork at the Federal University of Technology. Augustine holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria, and a master’s in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, and the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Benjamin Sunday Onoja works as the Chief Driver/Office Assistant, based in Abuja, Nigeria. Ben joined the IFPRI-Nigeria team in 2019. Prior to joining IFPRI, he was a driver for the Nigeria office of the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC). He holds a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education and an Ordinarily National Diploma (OND).

Chibuzo Nwagboso is a Research Analyst in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based in Abuja, Nigeria. Her work focuses on applied research and policy analysis in agriculture, nutrition, gender, and youth inclusion, using both qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate issues related to the political economy of biotechnology, gender and youth, and food systems. Prior to joining IFPRI, Chibuzo worked as a researcher for Seven Star Consultants Limited, where she specialized in impact evaluations and development studies. She holds a master’s degree in International Business Economics from Coventry University. Chibuzo’s language skills include English and functional French.

Hyacinth Edeh is a Country Program Manager with the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based Abuja, Nigeria. He provides management and research support to research projects and programs across several thematic areas, including agricultural transformation, conflict, climate change and household resilience, food and nutrition security, land governance, and technology adoption. His research interests are focused on areas of agricultural and rural transformation, technology adoption, climate change, food security, land economics and governance, and household welfare. Hyacinth has a background in quantitative economic methods, including statistical and econometric models, and is is proficient in project monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining IFPRI, he lectured with the Pre-degree School of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and worked as an Associate Research Fellow with the African Institute for Applied Economics, Enugu. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Extension from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Olufemi Adebola Popoola is a Research Analyst in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is also a member of the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).He is skilled in research design, data collection and analysis, report writing, and research-policy linkages. His research interests focus on areas of food security and climate change, youth in agriculture, technology and innovation studies, and impact evaluation. Prior to joining IFPRI, he was Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER). He holds both bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in Agricultural Economics from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and the University of Ibadan, respectively.

Opeyemi Olanrewaju is a Research Analyst in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based in Abuja. He currently supports IFPRI’s Nigeria Strategy Support Program (NSSP). Opeyemi’s research interests focus on youth employment, technology adoption, agricultural finance, conflict and insecurity, and food security. He seeks to contribute to policy discussions on sustainable rural livelihoods, rural digital technology adoption, and food security.

Prior to joining IFPRI, Opeyemi worked as a Field Research Lead at with Coamana Ltd, Abuja and coordinated several field research projects in Northern Nigeria where he undertook several works on Agricultural Value chain assessment and analysis. He was also a Research Fellow of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)/International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and worked on generating evidence on Youth Engagement in Agribusiness and Rural Economic activities in Africa.

Opeyemi Olanrewaju received his master’s in Agricultural Economics from University of Ibadan and a bachelor’s in Agricultural Economics and Extension from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.

Samuel Oloche Boniface is a Security Receptionist and Office Cleaner, based in Abuja, Nigeria. Prior to joining IFPRI, Samuel worked as Office Custodian and Janitor at Plan International Nigeria. He holds a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.

Adetunji Fasoranti is a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the Nigeria Strategy Support Program (NSSP), based in Abuja, Nigeria. Adetunji’s handles complicated monitoring and evaluations issues across donor-funded projects and has competencies in conducting field interviews and analyzing agricultural inputs and state-level policies.

Prior to joining IFPRI, Adetunji worked as a Project Assistant at the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), and then as an M Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist. He also served as an Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for Chemonics International Inc. Adetunji received a master’s degree in Development Studies from the Nigeria Defence Academy in Kaduna, Nigeria.

Temilolu Bamiwuye is a Research Consultant.