Theo Adewale Onadeko
My name is Theophilus Adewale Onadeko; a 2016/2017 PhD AgSE scholar in Agricultural Economics & Environmental Policy. My motivation for a PhD derives from a problem that is definitely greater than me. In Africa, a dichotomy seems to exist between academia and the business world. Africa needs to build effective bridges to resolve the dichotomy. We need to forge sustainable partnerships between ‘town’ and ‘gown’ to ensure academia produces problem-solving research which, conversely, induces research and development budgets that spurs continuous business innovation. This will be a win-win relationship if well nurtured.
My goal is to attain academic depth that complements my professional experience of almost 20 years in Finance, Agribusiness, Financial Technology and Consulting. I hold an MBA in Finance from Alliance Manchester Business School, United Kingdom, Master’s in Development Economics & Policy from the University of Manchester, and a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Economics & Farm Management from the prestigious Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria. I am an associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and my unique value proposition is truly that of a bridge between ‘town’ and ‘gown’.
I current work as Vice President and Senior Investment Officer at Asset & Resource Management Holding Company (ARM) Agribusiness Fund Managers Ltd raising capital, developing investment opportunities and providing strategic advice to investee large scale commercial agribusinesses across Nigeria and the West African region.
Through my stint at the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, I participated, with progressive responsibilities, in over 12 projects worth over $100million. I co-founded Valuefield Partners Ltd, www.valuefieldpartners.com, a boutique capital & advisory company providing sustainable solutions for Small & Medium Sized enterprises in agricultural and technology value chains. I started my career as Finance Analyst at US$106m World Bank co-funded Nigeria FADAMA Agricultural Development Project where I helped participating cooperatives to improve their credit ratings. I transitioned to commercial banking in 2001 where, over 6 years – at the United Bank for Africa Group; AXA Financial Services UK; and the Halifax Bank of Scotland UK – I managed Corporate, Commercial and Public Sector relationships of over US$50m liability. I possess the analytical, corporate finance, problem solving, influencing and strategic management skills required for mandate execution and client management.
I am well-researched and knowledgeable in the Agriculture, Agribusiness, Banking and Finance industries. I am a promising ‘professional’ scholar with aptitude to interact with the organized private sector, government agencies, international organizations and the academia on global agribusiness, policy and sustainable finance issues.
