Ibnou Dieng, a Senegalese national with over twenty years of extensive experience, is the Director of Strategic Planning and Chief of Staff at IITA-Ibadan, Nigeria. In this role, he supports the Director General and Senior Management Team in strategic planning and operational management, helping position IITA as a leading research and development partner in Africa. Ibnou also advises the Director General in his capacity as CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, focusing on partnerships, funding opportunities, and scaling efforts. Previously, as Head of Biometrics at IITA since 2020, he has assisted the Institute as well as African countries in developing sustainable systems to generate, analyze, and disseminate high-quality data, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and comparability. He holds a Degree in Statistical Engineering from the National School of Applied Economics in Dakar and earned his MSc (2003) and PhD (2007) in Biostatistics from the University of Montpellier II and CIRAD, France. His career includes key roles at AGRHYMET in Niger and AfricaRice in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, where he received the prestigious Dr. Robert Carsky Memorial Award for 2014-2015. Ibnou has contributed to the development of initiatives that enable informed and evidence-based decision-making. His commitment to data-driven solutions is aimed at combating poverty and promoting sustainable development across Africa.