Nigeria imports a significant share of the food it consumes. Not because the land cannot produce it, but because smallholder farm productivity has never reached its potential. Closing that gap does not require a revolution. It requires better information. That is the core of precision agriculture: giving farmers the knowledge to apply the right input, […]
Precision Agriculture: Farming With Better Information Read More »
Food insecurity in Nigeria is no longer a distant threat; it is a daily reality for millions of households. Rising food prices, climate shocks, conflict, and supply chain disruptions have combined to stretch the nation’s food system to its limits. In the face of these pressures, Nigeria’s most powerful defense is not imports, emergency aid,
Scaling the Shield: How Smallholder Farmers Hold the Key to Nigeria’s Food Security Read More »
For generations, farming decisions were guided by experience; reading the soil by touch, watching the skies, and applying knowledge passed down over time. While this intuition remains invaluable, today’s farmers are operating in a far more complex environment shaped by climate variability, rising input costs, and market uncertainty. This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
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Can Nigeria’s agriculture sector sustain momentum? Read More »
Across Nigeria, the story of farming is changing, farmers are no longer just cultivating crops; they are building thriving businesses. At Babban Gona, we see every farmer as a potential entrepreneur, capable of turning hard work on the field into a sustainable enterprise that changes lives and strengthens communities. Our model is built around that
From Farm to Enterprise: How Farmers Are Becoming Agribusiness Owners with Babban Gona Read More »
When most young people think about agriculture, what comes to mind is probably sweat, soil, and endless hours under the sun. Not exactly the dream career, right? But today, agriculture is being redefined.Thanks to technology, the industry is opening doors to exciting, impactful careers, and Nigerian youth have every reason to step through. Agritech is
Why Nigerian Youth Should Consider a Career in Agritech Read More »
Farming has never been easy. For smallholder farmers across Nigeria, the challenges can feel endless; limited access to quality inputs, lack of financing, unpredictable weather patterns, and market instability are just a few of the hurdles standing in their way. Yet despite these odds, many farmers are not just surviving but thriving. What’s the game-changer?
How Babban Gona is Empowering Smallholder Farmers to Succeed Read More »
Non-Executive Director
Independent Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Chairman of the Board
Non-Executive Director
Before joining Babban Gona, Lola was the Director for Trust and Safety at OLX Group, working across 30+ OLX markets to ensure that buyers and sellers can transact safely and securely on the platform. Prior to her global role at OLX, Lola was the Country Manager for OLX in Nigeria where she was responsible for driving all elements of the business including Business Development, Product Localization, Marketing and other relevant functions. OLX Group is one of the world’s leading online classifieds players. Through its brands including OLX, Avito, dubizzle and letgo, OLX Group is the home of online classifieds in high-growth markets.
These platforms are the leading destination for buying and selling used goods and services in 30 countries, and the #1 mobile app in its category in more than 20 markets. Globally ~ 11 million items are exchanged through its platforms every single month.
Prior to joining OLX, Lola spent 4 years at Google leading various Product Partnerships efforts across EMEA and Emerging Markets. Lola was one of the earliest Googlers in Sub-Saharan Africa when the technology company began its operations in the region.
Lola shaped the regional strategy, executed on several core initiatives and led business development efforts with key SSA partners including the telcos, OEMs, digital content providers and local entrepreneurs. Lola brings significant leadership experience in business development, entrepreneurship, operational transformation and product development across several industries including technology and financial services.
In addition to Africa, Lola has substantial international working experience in North America, Europe, and Asia. She also worked in the Chicago office of McKinsey & Company, where she spent time advising senior executives on extensive strategic management topics. Lola holds a Doctorate degree in Engineering from the UniversiAnnual Report 2019/2020 ty of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Virginia. She is happily married with two kids.
Managing Director
Furthermore, he led the development and execution of Notore’s commercial strategy across West and Central Africa, preparing the company to sell one million tons of fertilizer and establish a modern seed business.
He led the effort to raise $130 million in equity and the restructuring of $360 Million in debt. Kola brings significant leadership experience in venture capital, corporate finance, business development, marketing and operations, across four continents with multiple global companies, including GE, Notore and Abiomed. In addition, Kola brings extensive public sector experience as Senior Advisor to the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture.
In recognition for his leadership in driving positive change on the African Continent, he has received several global awards including the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship, a leading leadership institute led by General Collin Powell and appointed to the Board of the African Enterprise Challenge Fund, a $250 Million fund that awards grants and repayable grants to private sector companies to support innovative business ideas in agriculture, agribusiness, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change and access to information and financial services. Kola holds an MBA (Honors) from Harvard and a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Prior to Babban Gona, Kola was a Managing Director and CEO of a major subsidiary in the Notore Group, one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural conglomerates, where he raised US$24 Million to develop an integrated agricultural trading, production and processing business.
Furthermore, he led the development and execution of Notore’s commercial strategy across West and Central Africa, preparing the company to sell one million tons of fertilizer and establish a modern seed business.
He led the effort to raise $130 million in equity and the restructuring of $360 Million in debt. Kola brings significant leadership experience in venture capital, corporate finance, business development, marketing and operations, across four continents with multiple global companies, including GE, Notore and Abiomed. In addition, Kola brings extensive public sector experience as Senior Advisor to the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture.
In recognition for his leadership in driving positive change on the African Continent, he has received several global awards including the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship, a leading leadership institute led by General Collin Powell and appointed to the Board of the African Enterprise Challenge Fund, a $250 Million fund that awards grants and repayable grants to private sector companies to support innovative business ideas in agriculture, agribusiness, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change and access to information and financial services. Kola holds an MBA (Honors) from Harvard and a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
