IITA and Rotary International explore new frontiers in partnership for community development

23 February 2026

Rotarian Incoming President Elect (RIPE), Olayinka Babalola sights the pied kingfisher with his binoculars during the birdwatching exercise, guided by the Head of IITA Forest Center, Adewale Awoyemi, in the company of other Rotarians, the Head of Communication, Kathy Lopez and IITA staff.
Rotarian Incoming President Elect (RIPE), Olayinka Babalola sights the pied kingfisher with his binoculars during the birdwatching exercise, guided by the Head of IITA Forest Center, Adewale Awoyemi, in the company of other Rotarians, the Head of Communication, Kathy Lopez and IITA staff.

Two presidents, IITA–CGIAR Director General, IITA scientists, and Nigerian Rotarians met on 15 February at IITA to discuss areas of mutual interest and opportunities for future collaboration in community development and peace building.

Earlier in the week, on 11 and 12 February, the Rotarian Incoming President Elect (RIPE), Olayinka Babalola, explored the grounds of the IITA campus, taking time out for an early-morning birdwatching session led by the Head of the IITA Forest Center, Adewale Awoyemi. He shared that his interest in birdwatching began during the COVID-19 lockdown, eventually leading him to join the fellowship of Rotarian birdwatchers, with IITA as his preferred base whenever he is in Ibadan.

IITA Director General, Simeon Ehui, welcoming the Rotary International President, Francesco Arezzo, his wife, and other Rotarian delegates to IITA.
IITA Director General, Simeon Ehui, welcoming the Rotary International President, Francesco Arezzo, his wife, and other Rotarian delegates to IITA.

He was delighted to spot species such as the cormorant, African jacana (popularly called the “jesus bird” for its extraordinarily long toes that enable it to walk on floating vegetation), pied kingfisher, hadada ibis, and the common sandpiper, among others. The experience underscored IITA–CGIAR’s role not only as a hub for agricultural science but also as a center for biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.

Babalola later met with IITA–CGIAR Director General, Simeon Ehui, himself once a Rotarian, who expressed appreciation for Rotary International’s progress in polio eradication and other global humanitarian efforts. In his remarks, Dr Ehui provided a brief history of IITA and addressed key FAQs about the Institute. He emphasized the urgent need for food security that led to its founding by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations. He reiterated IITA’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge science and research innovations that support economic development and food security across Africa and beyond. “Science, partnership, and impact—and accelerating transformative change in people’s lives—are key for us at IITA,” he stated.

IITA DG, Simeon Ehui, with the Rotarian Incoming President Elect, Olayinka Babalola (L), and the outgoing President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo (R), during the partnership engagement meeting, at IITA headquarters, Ibadan.
IITA DG, Simeon Ehui, with the Rotarian Incoming President Elect, Olayinka Babalola (L), and the outgoing President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo (R), during the partnership engagement meeting, at IITA headquarters, Ibadan.

Further insights on IITA’s research, innovations, and technologies were presented by Bernard Vanlauwe, Deputy Director General, Research for Development (DDGR4D); Tahirou Abdoulaye, Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery (DDGP4D); and the DG’s Chief of Staff, Ibnou Dieng. They discussed IITA’s innovations and technologies, scaling approaches, and the Institute’s broader strategic impact pathways.

The outgoing President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo, expressed his pleasure at witnessing such a promising partnership opportunity between IITA-CGIAR and Rotary International. He highlighted areas of alignment for future collaboration, including youth empowerment, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Tola Ademosun spoke about IITA-CGIAR’s youth-focused initiatives, that are transforming young people into agripreneurs through climate-smart practices, digital tools, and mechanization. These efforts, supported by partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Mastercard Foundation, are tackling unemployment, promoting the dissemination of technology, and creating viable income streams in agribusiness. She expressed optimism about collaborating with Rotary International to further strengthen community development and youth economic empowerment.

RIPE Olayinka Babalola, while highlighting Rotary’s seven areas of focus, identified three to four potential areas of collaboration with IITA, including sustainable livelihoods, youth agribusiness ventures, environmental conservation, and water and sanitation initiatives. These are aimed at fostering peace and preventing conflict. He affirmed that his presidential theme for 2026, “to create lasting impact,” aligns seamlessly with IITA-CGIAR’s commitment to delivering agricultural innovations that positively transform lives.

The meeting concluded with proposals to establish Corporate Rotary Clubs to address shared concerns within corporate spaces—signaling a forward-looking partnership anchored on science, service, and sustainable impact.

Contributed by Folake Oduntan