Dr Ikechi Kelechi Agbugba

Dr Ikechi Kelechi Agbugba is an agricultural economist by training. He has been carrying out researches on food and agricultural marketing in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), since 2003. He earned Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics and has gained Postdoctoral Research Experience on a collaborative study between South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the University of Fort Hare, Alice Campus. Currently, he features as senior academic/researcher playing mentoring roles to university students, African youths, teenagers, as well as engaging with international networking volunteer organizations across Africa and outside, as either senior advisor or director in championing Africa’s transformation through the agriculture/agribusiness and education sectors. He is one of the Advocates of the European Technology Chamber (EUTECH) focusing on possible and easy solutions how to deploy business ideas, as well as relevant technology to targeted African communities. According to Dr Ikechi, “moves to industrialize the agriculture sector must be vastly encouraged especially in this era of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).” To mention a few, Dr. Agbugba is an Advisory Board Member with the African Continental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCCI); Director, Research & Development/International Coordinator for Africa Agriculture Agenda (AAA); Senior Advisor, African Youth Diaspora Organization (AYDO); Senior Adviser, Tomatoes and Orchard (Horticulture) Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN); Advisor, AgriEn (an agribusiness and agri energy initiative focused on accelerating development and delivery of innovative and sustainable interventions in food security, among other initiatives. Also, Dr Ikechi is the Technical Adviser to NutriCare, Malawi (an initiative developing strong farmers’ links and networks with the agriculture sector in specific regions thereby identifying farmer/farming needs, as well as building networks, partnerships and relevant opportunities in line with the vision of actualizing food and nutrition secure communities through empowering women to increase availability of affordable nutritious foods. Dr Ikechi is a Faculty Member in the agribusiness management program of Rome Business School, as well as a Senior Academic/Researcher, Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, Rivers State University (RSU). Moreover, he is a selected academia/researcher stakeholder in the Feed-the-Future initiative of the USAID Global Food Security Strategy Whole-System Workshop and has led plenary sessions on Food Security and Agribusiness especially at International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) World Congress which held at St Paul Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Moreover, he is the recipient of the excellence award ‘Agro-Economist of the Year’ in the 2017 Conference of the Pan African Agricultural Journalists (PAAJ) at Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Multi Line (1.) Guest Professor, University of Guyana, College of Medical of Sciences, Environmental Health, Guyana (Topic: “Food Security and COVID Effects on the Vulnerable), May, 2021 – Present.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/UGCMS/videos/736290133715963/

(2.) Guest Lecturer, North West University (Dept. of Agricultural Economics & Extension), Mafikeng Campus, South Africa (Topic: “Financial Inclusion in a Developing Country: An Assessment of an SADC Journey), August, 2020 – Present. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka3dkHgbNns

(3.) Dr Agbugba, Ikechi (2020). Creating Employment through Agriculture during and after COVID-19; Conversation on the Potential of Agriculture in Solving Unemployment/.
Available Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMCGP9gfWMs (Saturday, December 12th).

(4.) Dr Agbugba, Ikechi (2020). IFAMA Goes Digital: ‘Africa needs to develop both its agriculture and food processing industry.’ Food for the Future, International Food & Agribusiness Management Association, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Available online: https://www.foodlog.nl/ifama/article/africa-needs-to-develop-both-its-agriculture-and-food-processing-industry/ (Saturday, August 15).

(5.) Dr. Agbugba, Ikechi Kelechi (2020). IFAMA Goes Digital: COVID-19 Pandemic has Reaffirmed the Need to Develop Nigeria’s Agriculture Sector, Food for the Future, International Food & Agribusiness Management Association, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Available online: https://www.foodlog.nl/ ifama/article/dr.-ikechi-agbugba-corona-has-reaffirmed-the-need-to-develop-nigerias-agric (Wednesday, June6 10).

(6.) Dr. Agbugba, Ikechi Kelechi (2020). How Federal Government can make Agriculture sustainable in Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Season, Exclusive Interview: AGRONIGERIA. Available online: https://agronigeria.ng/2020/05/18/exclusive-interview-how-fg-can-make-agriculture-sustainable-post-covid-19-dr-agbugba/ (Monday, May 18)

(7.) Dr. Agbugba, Ikechi (2019). Moves To Industrialize Agriculture Must Involve Smallholder Farmers, Independent Newspaper. Available https://www.independent.ng/moves-to-industrialise-agriculture-must-involve-smallholder-farmers-agbugba/ (Friday, April 12)

(1.) Dr Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). Nigeria’s Devastating Malnutrition (Part 2) with Prof Ikechi Agbugba on 27th October, 2021 (16 hours; Berlin time). Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDoFZy2U2GU

(2.) Dr Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). Nigeria’s Devastating Malnutrition (Part 1) with Prof Ikechi Agbugba on 27th October, 2021 (13 hours; Berlin time). Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbM5yN5FRdM

(3.) Dr Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). Dr Ikechi Agbugba on Food Production and the 4th Industrial Revolution in Africa (21 October, 2021). Link: https://youtu.be/rChZJKuPtMw

(4.) Dr. Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). Nigeria at 61: Dr Ikechi Agbugba explains how it’s economy can attain transformation (15th October, 2021). Link: https://youtu.be/wAIU8twZj3o

(5.) Dr. Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). What will it take to have food sufficiency in Nigeria – Ikechi Agbugba PhD Professor & Researcher) Agribusiness (24th August, 2021).
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TveV8vbclfg

(6.) Dr. Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). Collaboration among African food businesses – Ikechi Agbugba PhD Professor & Researcher) (23rd August, 2021). Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSqBWH0nDQY

(7.) Dr. Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). Feeding the population through agriculture – Ikechi Agbugba PhD Professor & Researcher) Agribusiness (22nd August, 2021). Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u6tOcs-XFM

(8.) Dr. Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). Prominent Nigerian Food & Agri products -Ikechi Agbugba, PhD (Professor & Researcher) Agribusiness (20th August, 2021). Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtpyZu59mNc

(9.) Dr Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). Agribusiness and its importance in Today’s Economy. Available at: https://aclasses.org/agribusiness-and-its-importance-in-todays-economy/

(10.) Dr. Agbugba, Ikechi (2021). Ikechi Agbugba (PhD) – Professor & Researcher, Agricultural Economics, Cavalla International University (4th August, 2021). Link: https://youtu.be/_3N84AjpDtw

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

Refereed Journal Articles
1. Agbugba, I.K., Nmegbu, E. & Binaebi, E. (2021). Determinants of Access to Agricultural Credits by Poultry and Crop Farmers in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria, International Journal of Applied Research and Technology, 10(10), 10 – 16.

2. Agbugba, I.K. & Nmegbu, Ezihuo (2021). Demand Analysis for Beef and Pork Consumption among
Households in Port Harcourt City of Rivers State, Nigeria. Agricultural Economics & Extension Research Studies (AGEERS), 9(1), 9-16

3. Agbugba, I.K. & Nwachukwu, E.U. (2021). Analysis of margins, channels and constraints to snail marketing in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Agricultural Economics & Extension Research Studies (AGEERS), 9(1), 17-24.

4. Ewubare, D.B., Agbugba, I.K. & Kpeden, C. (2021). Awareness and Impact of Black Soot on Selected Food Vendors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, IIARD International Journal of Economics and Business Management, 7 (3), 81-88.

5. Agbugba, I. K., Nmegbu, E. & Binaebi, E. (2021). Profitability Analysis of Wood Charcoal Production and Marketing in Selected Communities of Rivers State, Nigeria, IIARD International Journal of Economics and Business Management, 7(1), 38-49.

6. Uzah, C.K. & Agbugba. I.K. (2021).Credit Flows in Businesses and Credit Ratios: Sectorial Distribution and Economic Growth in Nigeria, Development Bank of Nigeria Journal of Economics and Sustainable Growth, 4 (2), 127-167.

7. Agbagwa, S.K., Agbugba, I.K. & Maponya, P. (2021). Comparative Analysis of Plantain and Banana Marketing in Port Harcourt City Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria, Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 2 (50), 1-7.

8. Onyeaka, H., Agbugba, I., Ekwebelem. O.C., Anumudu, C., Anyogu, A., Odeyemi, O. & Agbagwa, S. (2021). Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Malnutrition in Nigeria, European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 13(2). 103-109.

9. Agbugba, I.K., Christian, M. & Obi, A. (2020). Economic Analysis of Smallholder Maize Farmers: Implications for Public Extension Services in Eastern Cape, South African Journal of Agricultural Extension, 48(2), 50-63.

10. Egwue, O.L., Agbugba I.K. & Mukaila R. (2020). Assessment of Rural Households Food Insecurity during COVID-19 Pandemic in South-East Nigeria. International Journal of Research – GRANTHAALAYAH, 8(12), 182-194.

11. Onomu, A.R. Aliber, M. & Agbugba, I.K. (2020). Tractor Services Challenges And Current Demand Trends By Smallholder Farmers In Nigeria, Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 4(58) 2020, 379–391.

12. Christian, M. Luvhengo, U., Khobai, H. & Agbugba, I.K. (2020). Reviewing Land Access Livelihood Diversification Strategies and Factors influencing wellbeing of rural households in Mnquma Eastern Cape: Implications to Extension Agents, South African Journal of Agricultural Extension, 48(2), 113-125.

13. Agbugba, I.K. (2020). Economic Analysis of Plantain and Banana Marketing In Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, Journal of Insights in Nutrition and Metabolism,4 (2), 5.

14. Ezihe, J.A.C., Agbugba, I. K., Eigege, S. & Etowa, E. B. (2020). Effect of Bush Burning on Farming Households in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, The International Journal of Agriculture, Management and Technology, 4(1), 51-56.

15. Ezihe, J.A.C., Agbugba, I. K. & Ogale, D. (2020). An investigation of Land Tenure System on the Utilization of Land by Small-Scale farmers in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, The International Journal of Agriculture, Management and Technology, 4(1), 26-36.

16. Taiwo, O.P., Nwonuala, A.I., Isaiah, B.F., Olawamide, D.O. & Agbugba, I.K. (2020). Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis Studies on Grain Yield and its Contributing Characters in Maize (Zea mays L.), International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 32(7), 7-13.

17. Agbugba, I.K. & Isukul A. C. (2020). Growing the Nigerian Economy: Embracing a Youth Developmental Approach, Development Bank of Nigeria Journal of Economics and Sustainable Growth, 3(2), 1-19.

18. Isukul A. C., Agbugba, I.K. & Chizea, J.J. (2020). A Looming Debt Crisis Narrative for Developing Countries: Implication and Consequences, Development Bank of Nigeria Journal of Economics and Sustainable Growth, 3(2), 1-19.

19. Agbugba I.K., Agbagwa S.K. & Diabate Y. (2020). Socio-Economic and Profitability Analysis of Honey Marketing in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 11 (6), 1-8.

20. Isukul A. C., Agbugba, I.K. & Chizea, J.J. (2019). Financial Inclusion in a Developing Country: An Assessment of the Nigerian Journey, Development Bank of Nigeria Journal of Economics and Sustainable Growth, 2 (2), 1-27.

21. Agbugba, I.K., Ifeanyi-Amos, E. & Binaebi, E. (2019). Feed Input and Cost Analysis of Catfish and Tilapia Production in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria, Delta Agriculturists, 11(1/1), 1-9.

22. Christian M., Obi A. & Agbugba I.K. (2019). Adoption of Irrigation Technology to Combat Household Food Insecurity in the Resource-Constrained Farming Systems of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, South African Journal of Agricultural Extension, 47(2), 94-104.

23. Isukul A. C., Chizea, J.J. & Agbugba, I.K. (2019). Economic Diversification in Nigeria: Lessons from Other Countries of Africa, Development Bank of Nigeria Journal of Economics and Sustainable Growth, 2 (1), 1-26.

24. Onyeaka, K., Agbugba, I.K. & Iheonu, C.O. (2019). Ditch the naira and champion the eco? A post-forex crisis assessment, Development Bank of Nigeria Journal of Economics and Sustainable Growth, 2 (1), 1-31.

25. Agbugba, I.K., Iheonu, C.O. & Onyeaka, K. (2018). Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Effect of Exchange Rate on Economic Growth in African Countries, International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 6(9), 1-14.

26. Agbugba, I.K. & Binaebi, E. (2018). A Comparative Study of the Agriculture Sector Contribution to the Economic Growth of Nigeria and Malaysia, IOSR-Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS), 2(3), 18-21.

27. Agbugba, I.K. & Shelaby, A. (2018). Marketing Analysis of Selected Vegetables in Port Harcourt Metropolis Rivers State, Nigeria, IOSR-Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS), 11(2), 26-34.

28. Agbugba, I.K. & Elijah, S.T. (2017). Yam Production practices and Climate Change in Cross State, Nigeria, Delta Agriculturists, 9 (2/3), 25-41.

29. Ezihe, J.A.C., Agbugba, I.K. & Idang, C. (2017). Effect of Climatic Change and Variability on Groundnut (Arachis hypogea, L.) Production in Nigeria, Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, (BJAS), 23 (6), 906-914.

30. Ezihe, J.A.C., Agbugba, I.K., Shaibu, G.E. & Bachev, H. (2017). Assessment of Climate Change on Sesame cultivation in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, Turkish Economic Review, 4 (2), 226-233.

31. Ani, S.O. & Agbugba, I.K. (2017).Economics of Marketing of Cassava Derivatives (Flour, Garri and Chips) in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, Delta Agriculturists,9(1), 46-54. Published by Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University, PMB 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

32. Agbugba, I.K. & Thompson, D. (2015). Economic Analysis of Tropical Leafy Vegetables in South-East Nigeria: The Case of Rural Women Farmers, American Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2 (2), 34-41.

33. Agbugba, I.K., Ihemezie, E.J. & Ahmed, A.E. (2014). Informal Sources of Financing Climate Change Adaptation amongst Crop Farmers in Nigeria, International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research & Technology in Education and Extension Systems, 4(1), 7-13.

34. Ezihe, J.A.C., Agbugba, I.K. & Ogbeba, J.E. (2014). Marketing Channels and Margin Analysis of Fish in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Pacesetter Journal of Agricultural Science Research, 2 (6), 64-70.

35. Ezihe, J.A.C., Agbugba, I.K. & Iornum, W. (2014). Economic Assessment of Rural Women Participation in Processing and Marketing of Soybean in Tarka LGA of Benue State Nigeria, Current Agriculture Research Journal, An International Peer-Reviewed Research Journal, 2(1), 99-107.

36. Agbugba, I.K. (2013). Price Causality and Bivariate Autoregressive Analysis of Dry Season Okra Marketing in Southeastern Nigeria, Current Agriculture Research Journal 2013, An International Peer-Reviewed Research Journal, 1(2), 99-107.

37. Ani, S.O., Agbugba, I.K. & Baiyegunhi, L. (2013). Processing and Marketing of Selected Cassava Products in South-East Nigeria, Journal of Economics, 4(2), 105 – 111.

38. Agbugba, I.K. & Obi, A. (2013). Market Structure, Price Formation and Price Transmission for Wood Charcoal in Southeastern Nigeria, Journal of Agricultural Science, 5(7), 77-86.

39. Thompson, D.E. & Agbugba, I.K. (2013). Marketing of Tropical Vegetable in Aba Area of Abia State, Nigeria, Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 2(7), 272-279.

40. Okafor OE & Agbugba IK (2011). Promoting Agricultural and Rural Development: Towards a New Paradigm of Extension Services, Journal of Home Economics Research (JHER), (15), 101-111.

41. Agbugba IK, Okechukwu FO & Solomon RJ (2011). Challenges and Strategies of Marketing Indigenous Leafy Vegetables in Nigeria, Journal of Home Economics Research (JHER), (15), 11-20.

42. Agbugba, I.K. & Solomon, R.J. (2011). Developing Small Scale Private Irrigation System in Nigeria: An Economic Perspective, Technical & Vocational Education Journal, 3(1), 191-202.

43. Agbugba, I.K. & Solomon, R.J. (2008). Analysis of Wood Charcoal Market in Abia State, Nigeria, Nigerian Journal of Home Economics (NigJHEC), 1(1), 57-62.

44. Agbugba, I.K., Okafor, O.E. & Etowa, E.B. (2008). Government Intervention in Promoting Agro-Processing in Nigeria, Nigerian Journal of Home Economics (NigJHEC), 1(1), 68-72.

45. Agbugba, I.K., Nweze, N.J., Achike, A.I. & Obi, A. (2013). Market Structure, Conduct, Channel and Margin of Dry Season Okra Vegetable in South-Eastern Nigeria; Proceedings of the International Conference on Food and Agricultural Sciences, IPCBEE (55), 73-78.

Professor (Adjunct Faculty), Cavalla International University (CIU), Roseville, MN, USA.
July 2021 – Present. Link: https://www.cavallauniversity.education/

• Senior Lecturer/Researcher, Dept. of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Rivers State University
  March 2015 – Present
• Lecturer/Facilitator/Resource Person, Agribusiness Management Programme, Rome Business
  School (Nigerian Campus), GRA, Ikeja, Lagos State, March 2019 – Present.
  Link: https://romebusinessschool.ng/ikechi-agbugba-ph-d-agribusiness-management/
• Lecturer/Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension,
  University of Fort Hare, September 2014 – January 2017
• Field Research Officer 1, M.icro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Project (World Bank-Assisted Project), October, 2007 – October 2008
• Industrial Trainee, University of Nigeria Farms, March 2001 – December 2002
• Advocate, European Technology (EUTECH) Chamber, Germany. Link: https://eutec.org
  Roving Ambassador, State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) University.
  Link: https://thestateofafricandiaspora.com/ambassadors/
• Co-Founder, AgriFood Networks (AFN) and Global Agricultural Policies, Politics from an African
  Perspective (GAPPAP), Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Link: https://www.foodlog.nl/afn/
• Senior Advisor, African Organization of Technology in Agriculture (A Rwanda-based IT Company
  promoting AgriTechs in Africa).
• Technical Adviser, NutriCare, Malawi, April, 2021 – Present. Link: http://nutricaremw.com/
• Senior Advisor, Tomatoes and Orchard (Horticulture) Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN),
  Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria. February, 2021 – Present.
  Link: https://www.topanigeria.com/our-team/
• Professor/Consultant. Green Leben Initiative (GLI), Hamburg, Germany. February 2021 – Present.
• Advisory Board Member, African Continental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AfCoTTI),
  Johannesburg, South Africa. January, 2021 – Present.
• Senior Advisor, African Youth Diaspora Organisation (AYDO), September, 2020 – Present.
• Advisory Board Member, AgriEn Network (Agribusiness and Agri Energy), Lusaka, Zambia.
  August 2020 – Present. Link: https://agriennetwork.com/our-team/
• Member, Leadership Team & Instructor, Osiri University(OU), headquarters @Nebraska, Lincoln,
  USA. May, 2020 – Present. Link: https://osiriuniversity.org/user/drikechi/
• Senior Advisor & Member of Administrative Board, Association of African Future Leaders (AAFL),
  Johannesburg South Africa. May 2020 – January, 2021. Link: https://aafl.info
• Agro-economist/Researcher, Rural Farmers’ Hub, Abuja, Nigeria, March, 2020 – Present.
  Link: https://ruralfarmershub.com/about
• Director, Research & Development/International Coordinator, Africa Agriculture Agenda (Arm of
  the Surveillance Media Ltd), Lekki, Phase 1, Lagos State, November 2017 – Present.
  Link: https://www.africaagricultureagenda.com/dr-ikechi-agbugba/
• Advisor/Director, Agriculture Sector Development & Food Security Initiative, Canada Africa
  Network – Africa Trade Action Group (CAN-ATAG), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  March, 2018 – Present. Link: https://canadaafricanetwork.ca/
• Advisor on Nigeria’s Agriculture Sector Development, Foodlog, Nieuwe Kazernelaan, Ede, The Netherlands. February 2016 – December 2019. Link: https://www.foodlog.nl

How will you demonstrate your commitment to support in achieving short- and/or long-term global alliances’ goals?

Since I possess the requisite postgraduate level qualification and experiential preparation, as well as experienced in the academic and research arenas as University Professor, as well as development expert playing roles in diverse domains, I will employ every needed resource exercising team-spiritedness in contributing to global transformation and sustainability through building-up the capacities of mentees, learners and trainees, all things remaining equal. More so, since my career and professional goals are geared towards contributing to the ongoing transformation, I wish to declare my commitment in engaging with the strategic institutions and platforms where I have affiliations with thereby partnering with government, NGO and other stakeholders of development in crafting-out developmental initiatives in communities especially in rural areas and agrosystems, in order to enhance decision-making processes and improvement of teaching and management support tools, as well as identifying and strengthening the entrepreneurial capacities and potentialities of communities through extension programmes in line with food and agribusiness activities, which will, to a reasonable extent halve poverty thereby ensuring food security and attaining economic progress.