EERC Governing Body

This section presents information on the Governing Body of Environmental and Economic Resource Centre (EERC). The body is made up of 7 members elected by the respective countries trustees who are registered with respective NGO coordinating agencies as direct representatives of EERC in each of its country of existence. The council is headed by the Chairperson, who exercises oversight on the management of EERC country offices and operations with support from other member of the executives.
The council is charged with the responsibility of reviewing the programs and operations of EERC to ensure that they are in tandem with the mission and vision of the organization as well the global standard. The council establishes policies and provides strategic thinking necessary to guide on effective performance of the EERC as a whole. It also reviews, approves and appoints the selection of key staff and auditors towards ensuring accountability and transparency.
Chairperson, EERC Governing Body
Janice Olawoye was born in Hartley, Iowa, USA. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Iowa State University and her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Ibadan. She became a Professor of Rural Sociology in 1998 at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, where she taught for 38 years until voluntarily retiring in 2016. She served the University in various administrative and committee capacities including being elected the first female Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (2004-2006). With extensive teaching and research experience, Professor Olawoye has developed expertise in social issues related to rural development. She has over 70 professional publications and has carried out well over 60 research assignments for several national and international development organizations. She has supervised many undergraduate and postgraduate students including 30 Ph.D students and has served on the boards of several NGOs, including charitable organizations.

Akintunde Akangbe Okunade is a native of Ibadan, Oyo State. He obtained his BSc and MSc degrees in Engineering Physics from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria in 1981 and 1985 respectively, and obtained a PhD degree from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria in 1990 (Radiological and Health Physics). He joined the services of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria in 1982 as a graduate assistant and rose to the position of a Professor in 2006. He has been carrying out research in the area of the use of ionizing radiation in medical and health practice. He has over 25 peer-reviewed publications in highly reputable international journals in the area of medical and health physics. He has utilized a couple of international fellowship awards outside Nigeria as a visiting scientist. He is a computational physicist and software developer. He reviews articles for publication in international journals. He has produced a couple of graduate students in MSc and PhD degrees. He has served in various committees in Obafemi Awolowo University and other universities in Nigeria. He was a member of the University Governing Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria between 2011 and 2013 and Director of, Information Technology and Communication Unit (INTECU, OAU Ile-Ife) between 2016 and 2018.

Vice President
Director, Research and Partnerships

Akinwumi Omotayo is a Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, at FUNAAB. He has about 14 years of experience as a Professor with a total of 25 years in the Nigerian University Systems. He started his academic career at the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in June 1990. He joined FUNAAB in 1997 and he has served in various leadership positions such as Head of Department – AERD, Director of AMREC, Director of FUNAAB CONSULT, Director of IFSERAR, and also as a pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Oye-Ekiti Nigeria, while on Sabbatical. He was a Commissioner in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ekiti State. Prof. Omotayo has recorded several international achievements even right from his school days at Virginia University, USA, and was formerly a Visiting Fulbright Scholar at Tuskegee University, Alabama USA between 2019 and 2020. He has served as a consultant to several international organizations such as the World Bank, FAO, WAAPP, and a panel of experts to IFPRI. He has published to date over sixty (60) scholarly articles in local and international journals, books, and refereed conference proceedings. He has had research collaboration with Scientists from different Universities across the globe. The current is his collaboration with the Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom in the Development of the FarrmSmarter App.

Mr. Joseph Olaoye Jegede is a Retired Chattered Banker. He attended South West London College, Tooting Broadway, London between 1978 and 1979. He obtained his professional certification as an Associate of Chattered Institute of Bankers London, United kingdom (UK). He worked for Cooperative Bank PLC between 1971 and 2006 where he retired as a General Manager/Chief Inspector, precisely on 31st January 2006. He is currently serving as a member of the Board of Bovas Charitable Foundation.
Ever since his retirement as a Banker, Mr. Joseph Olaoye has been a fish farmer for the past 16. He has an influential personality based on a his relationship with a wide range of people in power both in politics and commerce.

Director, Finance & Administration
Legal Advsier

Obioma Okonkwo is an experienced legal practitioner with a flair for corporate practice and litigation. Since being called to the Nigerian Bar, she has practiced in different law firms and organizations including O. A. Rahman, Abdullahi & Co.; Kehinde Fadayiro & Co., Swiss Attorney and Media Rights Agenda, before joining Environmental Economic Resources Centre as a Legal Officer. She holds a Diploma in Law and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University. Following her graduation from the University, she proceeded to the Nigerian Law School where she bagged BL and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar. She is known for providing exceptional support and advice on legal issues to corporate bodies and remaining up to date-with laws. She also possesses excellent analytical, research, writing, and good communication skills. She can make good judgments, and manage a large workload with tight deadlines. Her hobbies are traveling, cooking, and mentoring youngsters.

Mercilina Kadewa is currently a digital finance services specialist at the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) as well as the Program Manager for the EERC Malawi office. She holds a Bachelor’s and MSc Degree in Agribusiness Management from Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi. She has over 10 years of experience working as a development actor in the agricultural value chain in Malawi. She is highly Innovative, result-oriented, and self-motivated with excellent skills in Digital Financial Services (DFS), financial inclusion, agribusiness, cooperative development, economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, planning, research, and project management. Mercilina can manage multiple simultaneous tasks, balance competing priorities, and respond quickly to changes and corporate needs.

Program Manager, EERC Malawi