Blazing the trail: 
People First
Nteranya
Sanginga
01 People First
Blazing 
02 Rejuvenation of IITA the trail Infrastructure
series: 03
Building the next generation  
of ‘‘Agribusiness’’ Leaders
04 The long journey to leadership in African Agriculture
www.iita.org
Blazing the trail: 
People First
Nteranya
Sanginga
IITA, Ibadan, May 2020
The people make the institute. i 
ii 
Blazing the trail: People First
Contents
      Summary        iv
1. Search and Recruitment for the 7th Director General of IITA  1
•	 My	last	days	as	Director	of	TSBF-CIAT	 	 	 	 2
•	 Assuming	the	IITA	DG	post	-	Adopting	the	“People	Strategy” 3 
2. Making IITA meaningful for people     4
•	 People	approach		 					 	 	 	 	 												6
•	 Sharing	the	strategic	direction	 	 	 	 	 6
•	 Building	a	committed	top	management	team	 	 												15
•	 Engaging	in	social	activities	with	all	staff	categories     21
3. Improving staff morale and early results    31 
4.	 Setting	the	youth	Agripreneurs	program	 	 	 													45	
5.	 Building	Strategic	Partnership	 	 	 	 												49
•	 President	O.O.	Obasanjo	as	IITA	Ambassador	 	 												49
•	 Important	personalities	from	the	Nigerian	Government	 	 51
•	 Partnerships	with	VIPs	of	CGIAR	 	 	 	 												55
•	 Winning	awards	 	 	 	 	 	 	 71
iii 
Summary
As	a	Director	at	TSBF-CIAT	and	as	 expecting. I learnt a great lesson from 
Director General (DG) of IITA, I have that	off-the-cuff	statement,	that	the	
realized	that	people	are	the	wings	on	 social	welfare	of	people	matters	and	
which	an	organization	flies.	Setting	goals	 has	to	be	addressed	in	conjunction	with	
and issuing instructions is not enough; or	before	physical	assets.	Thus,	when	I	
if the people are not motivated, the became	DG	of	IITA,	I	remembered	Zamija	
progress of the organization is delayed. boy and I applied that important lesson 
Hence, I decided to adopt the people to	the	IITA	scenario.	My	motto	is	“people	
approach	where	the	staff	are	built	up,	 first”.
motivated,	but	not	cut-down.	
In	November	2011,	staff	morale	was	very	
I usually remember the case of low	and	there	was	need	for	a	mindset	
President	Nicephore	Soglo	of	the	 change.	So,	we	organized	a	town	hall	
Republic	of	Benin	when	he	became	the	 meeting.	There,	I	said,	“If	you	take	care	
elected leader after he took over from of	IITA,	IITA	will	take	care	of	you.”	After	
his	predecessor,	President	Mathieu	 that	meeting,	the	staff	were	convinced	
Kerekou. He found a broke and broken that IITA is more than a paymaster;  they 
country, in people, economy, and could	see	the	institute	as	a	place	where	
infrastructure. He decided to first tackle they	could	make	an	impact.	On	many	
the infrastructure component  as a occasions, I ask staff for their opinions 
strategy  for revitalizing his country and and suggestions; other times I assign 
he	did	very	well	in	this	respect.	But	he	 tasks	to	those	who	least	expected	them,	
was	not	reelected	for	a	second	term	 just		to	motivate	them.	The	result	of	
because	people	were	left	out	of	his	 that	was	increased	efficiency	and	focus	
rebuilding	process.	One	day	as	I	was	 among staff and especially a sense 
moving from my hotel to the IITA station, of	ownership	of	the	institute.	This,	of	
a	young	motorcycle	rider	called	“Zamija,”	 course,	did	not	come	without	challenges,	
gave	me	a	lift.	While	paying	the	fare,	 such as misunderstanding and 
I	shared	my	admiration	for	President	 resistance from different quarters. In 
Soglo’s infrastructural achievements. He the	end,	the	strategy	had	been	justified	
looked	at	me	bewildered	and	surprised	 by the increased productivity of staff 
and	then	asked	me,	“Will	we	eat	road?”—a	 who	promote	the	good	image	of	IITA	at	
surprising	response	that	I	was	not	 home and abroad.
iv 
Blazing the trail: People First
Search and Recruitment  
for the 7th Director General  
of IITA
Dr	A.	Adesina	and	N.	Sanginga	after	jogging	at	Jeffrey	Center	in	Lavington,	Nairobi,	early	2010.
The	IITA	Board	of	Trustees	in	its	May	 Tom	Foster,	the	recruitment	agent	from	
2010	meeting	in	Nairobi,	Kenya,	invited	 Canada	whom	IITA	had	hired	for	this	
all former staff in the country to task.	Dr	Adesina	was	then	contacted	
participate	in	a	closing	dinner.		This	was	 on account of his recommendation and 
where	the	first	information	about	the	 was	interviewed	for	an	hour	by	Tom	
announcement of the replacement of Foster.	He	strongly	advocated	for	me.	
the	6th	Director	General,	Dr	P.	Hartmann,	 Thereafter,	I	was	contacted	by	Tom	
was	circulated.	My	friend,	Dr	Akinwunmi	 Foster	and	with	this	strong	move	for	
Adesina encouraged me to apply and my candidature, I finally applied for the 
wrote	a	strong	recommendation	to	 office of the Director General of IITA. 
1 
IITA DIRECTORS GENERAL
Dr. Herbert R. Albrecht Dr. William K. Gamble Dr. Ermond H. Hartmans Dr. Laurence D. Stifel Dr. Lukas Brader Dr. Peter Hartmanns Dr. Nteranya Sanginga
1968- 1975 1975-1980 1980-1985 1985-1990 1990-2001 2001-2011 2011- present
My	last	days	as	Director	of	TSBF-CIAT
In	2003,	TSBF	was	a	small	institute,	 productive, and innovative program 
smaller than the Savanna program that of CIAT. In addition to research and 
I	had	been	leading	at	IITA.	It	worked	only	 scientific	brilliance,	TSBF	had	by	this	
in Kenya and had experiments in only time also increased its budget to about 
two	sites	(Embu	and	Western	Kenya).	To	 $14.5	million;	this	contributed	about	35%	
make	matters	worse,	it	did	not	possess	a	 to	CIAT	‘s	budget.	We	swung	wholly	into	
laboratory.	There	were	four	international	 resource	mobilization	which	increased	
scientists, in addition to the Director the	institute’s	total	budget	to	$14.9	
and	about	11	national	staff	who	were	 million,	while	its	research	staff	strength	
basically in charge of administration and increased significantly from 4 to 110 and 
research support. The total budget of worked	in	various	countriues	in	East	and	
the	TSBF	was	$1.2	million	with	a	deficit	 Southern Africa. As the Director of the 
of	$0.3	million;	core	funding	from	the	 CIAT-TSBF	Institute	between	2003	and	
Rockefeller	Foundation	had	been	cut.	 2011, I provided a strategic vision that 
focused on implementing an integrated 
This	success	was	demonstrated	during	 natural resource management research 
the	External	Program	and	Management	 program	which	was	linked	to	production	
Review	of	CIAT	in	2008.	In	that	review,	 intensification, market policies, nutrition, 
TSBF	was	rated	as	the	most	dynamic,	 and health.
My last stay 
at	TSBF-CIAT	
during the 
Board	meeting	
in	Nairobi,	
Kenya, in early 
May 2011.
2 
Blazing the trail: People First
Assuming the IITA DG post: Adopting 
the	“People	Strategy”
When	I	became	the	7th	DG	of	IITA	and	 will	not	find	that	in	any	annual	report	
started	work	on	1	November	2011,	I	 and probably not in any internal IITA 
used the People	Strategy to inform document	either.	Yet	we	all	agree	that	
the	Business	Strategy	(IITA	Refreshed	 “people	are	the	most	important	assets	
Strategy 2012–2020) as the best in	any	institution.”		For	me	the	people 
approach to lead and develop the strategy	is	the	link	between	the	business	
organization.	Both	strategies	had	to	 strategy and the implications for human 
work	together	to	enable	the	organization	 resources.	It	answers	questions	such	as	
to deliver on its mission and mandate of what	are	we	good	at,	what	capabilities	
transforming the agricultural agenda in 
do	we	need,	and	when	and	where	do	we	
Africa. 
need	them?	 I	spent	a	lot	of	time	early	in	
Most staff in IITA and other organizations my	administration	to	get	answers	to	such	
have	asked	me	about	my	People	 questions from all categories of IITA staff 
Strategy.	My	answer	has	been	that	you	 at HQ and hubs.
Papa	Adesina	and	
Mrs Charlotte 
Sanginga blessed 
my office on my 
first	day	at	work	-	
1	November	2011.
3 
Making IITA meaningful  
for the people
Staff	morale	was	at	its	lowest	level	in	 were	a	pipe	dream.	A	strong	strategy	
2011, and stories of internationally and	approach	were	essential	to	
and nationally recruited staff leaving address this difficult situation that 
IITA for other CGIAR centers and had been eroding the existence of 
local	institutions	were	so	many.	Staff	 the	Institute.	We	therefore	decided	
benefits	were	taxed	and	sometimes	 to	adopt	the	following	approaches:	
simply	cut,	their	working	tools	  1 Making IITA meaningful for 
reduced to the minimum, and the staff,  2 Adopting a personal 
infrastructure	were	dilapidated.	 approach, and  3 Openly	engaging	
Advances in career and promotions others outside IITA.
“Uncommon	courage”	of	staff	during	
Nigerian	strike	crisis
The	nationwide	strikes	during	the	 many staff had to leave their homes as 
second	week	of	January	2012	crippled	 early	as	5:00	am	to	beat	the	roadblocks	
transport, businesses, and other mounted by the strikers. In some cases, 
essential services in Ibadan, but this staff	were	compelled	to	pay	from	
did not stop most staff from coming their	own	pockets	fees	imposed	by	the	
to	work.	The	strikes	were	sparked	by	 strikers, so that they could safely pass 
the removal of the fuel subsidy by the through	their	barricades	on	their	way	
federal government. During this period, to	the	institute.	Although	staff	were	not	
Periodic	or	
constant 
engagement 
remains one of 
the pillars of IITA. 
Dr Sanginga 
addresses staff 
in Ibadan.  
His message: 
“T4h ink	first	
about	IITA”.
Blazing the trail: People First
required	to	come	to	work	during	this	 commendation signed by me during the 
dangerous period, some staff, on their event. I also seized the opportunity to 
own	volition,	risked	life	and	limb	to	report	 address staff regarding the changes 
to	their	duty	stations	while	the	strike	 within	the	institute	and	CGIAR,	calling	
lasted.	I	described	this	as	“uncommon	 on	each	one—regardless	of	rank	or	
courage”.	I	cited	the	extraordinary	effort	 status—to	contribute	their	best	towards	
and commitment of staff in a special building a stronger institute to tackle the 
recognition	get-together	held	on	27	 challenges ahead.	“Something	as	simple	
January	2012	at	the	open	area	beside	 as	maintaining	a	clean	workplace	and	
Building	500.	“I	am	very	proud	of	you,” I showing	professionalism	contribute	to	
told staff. They also received letters of taking	IITA	to	the	top.”
The  failed investment, unpleasant 
surprises,	and	low	staff	morale
The	fuel	crisis	in	January	2012	was	 Coulman	as	we	were	not	informed	
followed	by	the	discovery	of	a	failed	 of the lost investment. This event 
investment	of	$15	million	incurred	during	 dominated all our activities during 2012 
the	previous	administration.	With	a	 and had negative consequences for 
budget	of	$47	million,	IITA	was	just	in	 IITA. They included a funding cut to IITA 
the middle rank of CGIAR centers; this for	nine	months	with	consequences	for	
without	counting	the	lost	$15	million.	My	
first	Board	meeting	took	place	in	Dar	es	 other centers, the forced resignation of 
Salaam, Tanzania on 4 December 2011. IITA	Board	members	who	participated	
The	entire	board	meeting	was	dominated	 in the investment decision, their 
by the failed investment that had interrogation by the System Council, 
occured	in	2008–2009.	This	was	a	shock	 and	an	EU	Forensic	audit	that	took	
to	me	and	incoming	Board	Chair,	Bruce	 place at the HQ for 30 days.
Involving all 
grades of staff 
in cleaning 
the campus 
environment 
before 
opening the 
sports festival, 
2012. 5 
The people Sharing the 
approach strategic direction
The	way	I	see	IITA,	it	is	a	ship	with	its	 IITA to have 200 scientists and 
passengers	(all	of	us)	on	a	journey	(our	 double the budget by 2020
mission),	sailing	towards	a	destination	
(our vision).  Through calm and rough 
seas,	we	sail	with	her.	What	happens	 Under	its	revised	10-year	strategy,	IITA’s	
to	our	ship	affects	us	and	what	we	do	 target	was	to	improve	the	livelihoods	
affects her. This is the message that I of	11	million	farmers	in	sub-Saharan	
have	always	wanted	people	to	know,	to	 Africa and pull them out of poverty, 
internalize, and to live by. I have tried while	at	the	same	time	increasing	its	
to	develop	a	powerful	institutional	 annual	budget	to	US$100	million	to	
culture	within	IITA	to	make	employees	 support 200 multidisciplinary scientists 
“own”	IITA,	to	believe	in	what	we	do	and		 operating from its five regional hubs. 
what	we	stand	for	by	answering	their	 I	disclosed	this	during	briefings	with	
questions—from	the	lofty		(how	the	 international and local staff at HQ and 
future developments of food security all hubs. The endorsement came during 
will	affect	IITA’s	development)	to	the	 separate	meetings	that	I	had	with	
every	day	(how	it	will	affect	their	jobs).	 Internationally	Recruited	Staff	and	with	
I have tried during the last nine years Nationally	Recruited	Staff	in	Ibadan.	It	
to	find	compelling	answers	to	these	 was	approved	by	the	Board	of	Trustees	
questions by making them personal in	Tanzania	during	the	meeting	that	was	
and relevant to people’s lives, by openly held	between	7	and	10	December	2011.
and transparently engaging others, and 
by putting the spotlight on successes. 
After all, IITA is not simply a collection of 
structures but a living, breathing organic 
entity. I believe that IITA’s ultimate 
impact	will	depend	not	only	on	its	culture	
and values but, most importantly, on 
the people that make it tick. This belief 
was	tested	during	the	early	days	of	
my administration, especially in early 
January	2012	when	a	national	crisis	
paralyzed	the	whole	country	and	IITA	was	
adversely affected. 
6 
Blazing the trail: People First
Dr	Sanginga	sharing	his	vision	for	IITA	and	presenting	the	new	organogram	to	IRS.	
Dr	Sanginga	presenting	the	new	structure	to	IITA	managers	and	senior	staff	in	Ibadan.
7 
 DG Sanginga addressing IITA Ibadan general staff on IITA’s strategic direction, 2012–2020. 
Staff	narrating	the	past	and	asking	a	lot	of		worrying	questions	about	the	future.
8 
Blazing the trail: People First
DG Sanginga 
receives a 
standing ovation 
from	Nationally	
Recruited Staff 
after presenting 
the	new	strategic	
direction 2012–
2020.
Training of Drivers and Hospitality teams 
My	experience	at	TSBF-CIAT	had	shown	 the	Ikeja	Guest	House	in	Lagos	or	at	the	
me that drivers are the first contact for International House at the HQ in Ibadan, 
external partners, especially donors. Their will	take	over.	The	change	of	mindset	had	
good or bad behavior can determine to	start	with	them.	I	therefore	organized	
the reputation of the institution either a	training	workshop	for	these	two	units	
favorably or unfavorably. In the case of (drivers and staff in the hospitality unit) 
IITA, they are to pick these important on basic customer service skills. This 
personalities	from	the	airport	after	which	 was	conducted	by	special	consultants	in	
our	staff	at	the	hospitality	unit,	whether	at	 organizational domains.
Gbenga	Ojo	was	
the consultant 
in hospitality 
organization 
who	conducted	
the training.
9 
DG Sanginga 
walking	in	for	
the	workshop	
opening.
Hospitality 
staff and 
drivers 
during the 
workshop. 
Group photo 
with	drivers	
and hospitality 
staff after the 
workshop.
10 
Blazing the trail: People First
IITA	staff	member	Samson	Udo	displays	uncommon	ability
During one of my earliest tours of IITA as such	an	attitude,	and	where	were	his	
DG,	I	made	a	visit	to	the	Research	Farm	 supervisors	anyway?	I	woke	him	up	and	
Unit	(RFU)	where	I	met	a	staff	member	 he	quickly	jumped	up	seeing	the	DG	in	
called	‘Udo’;	he	was	fast	asleep	at	10	am	 front	of	him.	Then	I	asked	him	why	he	was	
and did not even notice that I had come in. sleeping	when	he	should	be	working.	Udo	
This	came	as	a	shock	to	me,	knowing	IITA	 said,	“The	machine	I	work	with	stopped	
as an international organization that does functioning	about	17	years	ago.”	To	say	
not give room for such unprofessionalism. I	was	dazed	is	to	put	it	mildly.	After	
Ordinarily,	my	reaction	to	such	a	scene	 regaining my composure, I asked him a 
could have been to make an example few	questions	about	the	facilities	at	the	
out	of	Udo	for	other	staff	to	sit	up	and	 RFU	but	also	charged	him	to	facilitate	the	
readjust.	I	could	have	meted	out	a	 repair of the machine. I promised that 
disciplinary measure on fair grounds, if	he	did	well	in	that	assignment,	I	was	
after	all,	everybody	ought	to	know	that	the	 going	to	reward	him.	Two	weeks	later,	
office	is	not	a	resting	place.	But	I	thought	 the	machine	was	fixed	and	the	unit	was	
to	myself,	what	could	be	the	reason for revived.
DG Sanginga 
and Assistant 
Victoria	visit	
the	FAO	site.
DG Sanginga 
“discovers”	
Mr	Udo	and	
opens a seed 
cleaning 
facility that 
was	dormant	
for 17 years.
11 
Meeting	with	
all staff of 
FMS.
Mr	Udo	is	
promoted and 
presented to 
the	FMS	staff	
in	a	town	hall	
meeting.
12 
Blazing the trail: People First
Meeting 
with	all	
categories 
of general 
staff.
DG Sanginga 
in	town	hall	
meeting at 
the HQ, 2012.
13 
	DG	Sanginga	visiting	newly	refurbished	virology	labs.
DG	Sanginga	honors	committed	young	staff	of	Aflasafe	-	IITA	Malawi	with	week-long	 
communication	training	at	the	Headquarters	in	Ibadan,	2019.
14 
Blazing the trail: People First
Building	a	committed	top	management	team
IITA’s Management team is an asset One	of	my	first	orders	of	business	as	DG	
in	leading	IITA.	But	just	as	in	football	 was	for	top	management	to	agree	on	
where	excellent	individual	players	 what	we	can	achieve	as	a	team	(not	as	
are	always	important	assets,	players	 individuals),	how	often	the	team	should	
playing as a team is far more important. meet,	and	what	strategic	issues	should	
Teams	always	trump	individuals.	Even	 be discussed. I have tried to bring our 
with	the	right	team	in	place,	it	takes	 team together regularly to share almost 
time for a group of highly intelligent, everything, to make it clear to everyone 
ambitious, and independent people to who	is	doing	what,	and	to	keep	IITA’s	
align	themselves	and	move	towards	 initiatives, budgets, and financial targets 
one direction in a coordinated manner. knitted together.
DG	Sanginga	with	his	first	management	team:	Left:	DoF	S.	Sholola;	DDG-CS	Lakshmi	Menon.	
Right:	with	DDG-R	Paula	Bramel.	
DG	Sanginga	with	his	second	 DG	Sanginga	with	his	third	management	
management	team:	DDG-	PCD	K.	 team:	DDG-SS	K.	Akuffo-Akoto;	DDG-R	M.	
Dashiell;	DDG-R	Y.	Hillbur;	DDG-CS	K.	 Saethre;	DDG-CS	H.	Koper;	DoF	S.	Sholola,	
Akuffo-Akoto;	DoF	S.	Sholola. DDG-P4D	K.	Dashiell.
15 
DG Sanginga meets the IITA Hub Administrators.
 DG Sanginga meets the representatives of the staff associations.
16 
Blazing the trail: People First
DG	Sanginga’s	first	DDG-R4D	Ylva	Hillbur	planting	a	tree	during	the	launching	of	the	
CGIAR	Research	Program	(CRP)	on	Integrated	Systems	for	the	Humid	Tropics.
DG	Sanginga’s	second	DDG-R4D	May-Guri	Saethre	during	a	field	visit	to	the	Malawi	 
Station, Southern Africa Hub. 
17 
IITA has research and administrative are also thematic science leaders for 
hubs and stations spread across the the Institute. 
continent,	divided	into,	West,	Central,	
Eastern,	Southern,	and	Sahel.	Each	hub	 Hub Directors  
is placed as a strategic entry point Robert	Asiedu,	West	Africa;	Bernard	
to deliver the intervention that each Vanlauwe,	Central	Africa;	Victor	Manyong,	
community needs. Hub activities are East	Africa;	David	Chikoye,	Southern	
administered	by	the	Hub	Directors	who	 Africa; and Tahirou Abdoulaye, Sahel. 
Mali NMiagleir Niger
Senegal Sesneugalb-Sahsaurba-nS Aafhraicran Africa
Gambia Gambia Chad SudCahnad Sudan
Guinea GuinBeuarkina Burkina
Bissau Guinea BissFaausoGuinea Faso
Bénin
Sierra Leone CôtSei erra Leone NCiôgter ia
Bénin Nigeria
d'Ivoire Togo d'Ivoire Togo Ethiopia Ethiopia
Liberia Ghana Liberia Ghana Central Africa Rep CSeonuttrhal Africa Rep South
Cameroon Sudan
Sudan
Cameroon
Equatorial Equatorial Uganda Uganda
Guinea Congo Guinea Congo Kenya Kenya
Rwanda Rwanda
DR Congo BurundDiR Congo Burundi
Tanzania Tanzania
Zambia Zambia
Angola Angola
Malawi Malawi
IITA HQ  IITA HQ  Zimbabwe ZimbabweMadagascar Madagascar
West ern  Africa huWb est ern  Africa hub Namibia NamibiaMozambique Mozambique
Central Africa hubCentral Africa hub
Eastern Africa hubEastern Africa hub Eswatini Eswatini
Southern Africa huSbouthern Africa hub
Sahel Africa hub Sahel Africa hub
IITA R4D stations seIIrTvAe  Rou4rD s sctieantiotisntss  saenrdv ep aorutrn escrsie anctirsotss a snudb p-Sarathnaeras na Acrforiscsa .s (uMba-pS bayh IaITrAa)n  Africa. (Map by IITA) 
Directors
Robert Asiedu Bernard	Vanlauwe Victor	Manyong David Chikoye A.	Atta-Krah A. Dixon 
West Africa Central Africa East Africa Southern Africa Site Delivery and 
Integration Development
18 
Blazing the trail: People First
Board	Chair	Bruce	Coulman	and	DG	Sanginga	visit	Emeritus	scientist	
Peter	Neuenschwander	(left)	at	his	forest	site	in	Drabo,	Benin.	
	IITA	Board	of	Trustees	and	senior	staff	in	IITA	Kalambo.
19 
DG	Sanginga	enjoys	a	cordial	relationship	with	the	Board	of	Trustees.
DG Sanginga meets the Technical Advisory Committee of the Humidtropics.
20 
Blazing the trail: People First
Engaging	in	social	activities	with	all	staff	 
Sportsfest 2012 kicks off, rekindles staff morale
I	love	football!	As	a	boy	growing	up	in	 staff sang songs pledging loyalty and 
the	Congo,	football	was	more	than	a	 renewed	commitment	to	the	vision	and	
pastime—it	was	the	force	that	built	and	 goals of IITA.
strengthened a young man’s character 
and	ideals.	The	Agripreneurs	Program— At the opening, I urged the staff to 
probably the brightest shining star in channel most of the energy displayed 
my	10	years	as	DG—achieved		for	many		 into	rejuvenating	IITA.	I	challenged	staff	
young	Nigerians	what		football	did	for	 to	see	IITA	as	their	own	institution,	and	
me and  countless other Africans: it has to	work	with	a	sincerity	of	heart.	A	call	
built character, fostered determination, to	clean	the	campus	was	made	and	
promoted	self-worth,	and	inculcated	a	 staff,	including	Management,	went	about	
sense of accomplishment through hard picking litter around the sports complex 
work,	discipline,	and	teamwork.	 before the game began. 
The Sportsfest 2012 kicked off early This Sportsfest stood out as a unity 
April	2012	in	Ibadan	with	fun	and	pomp.	 platform	with	the	various	cadres	of	staff	
Staff held a parade of colors from the mingling, fraternizing, and associating 
Conference Center to the Sports Center, freely.	The	kick-off	football	matches	for	
chanting	songs	with	jubilation.	The	event	 the	day	involved	Red	and	Yellow	teams	
displayed the energy of staff and also for females, and Green and Red teams 
sparked their morale. Amid the jubilation,	 for males.
Dr	Sanginga,	Mrs	Charlotte	Sanginga,	and	DDG-Partnerships	for	Delivery	
Kenton Dashiell at the opening rally of Sportsfest 2012.
21 
Marking	the	beginning	of	the	sportsfest	with	a	march	led	by	Management.
Excited	IITA	staff	trooping	in	numbers	to	the	sports	complex.
22 
Blazing the trail: People First
Spectators 
from various 
units	waiting	
to see the 
game. 
Football	
players from 
the Red and 
Green teams 
before the 
match.
Senior 
management 
staff of IITA 
and other 
spectators 
enjoying	the	
game.
23 
Male and 
female 
players of 
IITA football 
teams in 
2000.
Football	
players of 
the Red and 
Green teams 
before the 
start of the 
match. 
Having a 
good time 
with	the	
scientists 
after a 
hard day’s 
work.
24 
Blazing the trail: People First
It’s IITA’s Time! It	was	a	day	of	fun	and	laughter.	
But	more	than	that,	it	was	a	day	
IITA-Ibadan	community	 of celebration, recognition, and 
appreciation.	On	Saturday,	16	
celebrates November,	about	5000	IITA	staff	and	
Open	Day	2013 their families celebrated the 2013 edition	of	IITA	Open	Day. 
DG	Sanginga	handing	out	the	grand	raffle	draw	prize	to	Hakeem	Opadeyi.
The	crowd	gathered	under	the	main	events	tent	at	the	Sports	Center.
25 
Time-out	with	 wife	also	said,	“The	meeting	is	for	us	to	
spouses of staff know	each	other...	you	are	my	friends	and	if	I	find	myself	in	town,	I	may	call	on	you	and	
below	PG	6	at	the	 make	a	visit	too.”	
DG’s House in 2012 The spouses appreciated Management’s 
 efforts in beautifying the campus and in 
“Let	us	join	hands	and	build	IITA	 rekindling	staff	morale.	Mrs	Okome	who	
together” spoke on behalf of spouses of the Senior 
Staff	Association,	said,	“We	sincerely	thank	
My	wife,	Mrs	Charlotte	Sanginga,	is	very	 Dr	Sanginga	and	his	wife	for	bringing	
passionate about spouses of staff. She happiness	to	our	families.	Within	the	little	
says that spouses are critical to the time that this administration has taken 
attainment	of	the	Institute’s	goals.	We	 off,	we	have	noticed	and	felt	the	positive	
took	the	first	step	to	planning	a	time- impact	this	has	had	on	our	families;	we	
out	with	spouses	of	junior	staff,	where	 now	see	a	new	look	and	attitude	among	
they	could	speak	to	us	and	we	could	also	 our	spouses;	the	old	unhappy/moody	
make them realize their value. During a look	has	gone	as	a	result	of	the	new	
luncheon organized by Charlotte at our style	of	administration.”	The	spouses	also	
house	we	sought	the	support	of	spouses	 commended the renovation of the campus 
of staff in building a stronger IITA. The crèche and promised to support IITA in the 
luncheon provided an opportunity for fight	against	hunger	and	poverty.“We	are	
Charlotte	to	welcome	spouses	to	the	 excited and happy over the renovation of 
DG’s residence. She regards them as our the	crèche	because	no	mother	would	like	
friends to date. During the luncheon, I to	have	her	child	in	an	untidy	environment,”	
said	to	them,	“Support	your	husbands/ said	Mrs.	Okechukwu.	It	was	an	exciting	
wives	and	encourage	them...do	not	see	 moment for us and for them; they even 
IITA as a place for collecting salaries only, requested that the gathering should not be 
but	see	yourselves	as	stakeholders.”	My	 the last.
Mrs Charlotte 
Sanginga 
welcoming	
spouses of 
staff to her 
residence.
26 
Blazing the trail: People First
Dr Sanginga 
interacting 
with	guests	
during the 
luncheon.
“See	yourselves	
as	stakeholders”	
– Mrs Sanginga 
said to spouses 
of staff.
For	some	of	
the spouses, 
it	was	their	
first time on 
IITA campus.
27 
Renovating the Staff Creche
IITA offers a creche facility for nursing staff preferred to keep their babies at 
parents among general staff. This facility other locations outside IITA. There had to 
ensures	the	welfare	of	the	babies	and	is	 be an intervention. After the renovation 
a means of keeping the babies close to of the creche, it became more conducive 
their	parents.	However,	the	creche	had	 for	babies,	nursing	parents	as	well	as	the	
begun	to	deteriorate	to	the	point	where	 caregivers. 
Mrs Sanginga 
at IITA Creche 
before its 
renovation.
The	creche	was	
refurbished to a 
higher standard 
that is befitting 
of IITA staff and 
their babies. 
28 
Blazing the trail: People First
IITA	Women’s	Group	Scholarship	Scheme
The	IITA	Women’s	Group	scholarship	 children/dependents	of	IITA	general	
scheme is an annual event that aims staff.	Usually,	awardees	go	through	
to	support	IITA	general	staff	on	PG	1–6.	 a thorough screening involving filling 
of	forms,	writing	of	exams,	and	oral	
The	grant	is	awarded	to	secondary	and	 interviews.	After	the	screening	process,	
post-secondary	school	students	who	are	 the	awards	go	to	the	best	students..
IITA 
Women’s	
Group visits 
Oyo	State	
Governor’s 
wife.
IITA	Women’s	
Group 
launches 
scholarship 
program in 
Southern 
Africa hub 
in	Lusaka,	
Zambia.
29 
IITA	Women’s	Group	and	friends/spouses	celebrating	IITA	@50.
IITA	Women’s	Group	and	scholarship	awardees	in	2018.
30 
Blazing the trail: People First
Improving staff morale  
and early results
Management announces general 
increases in remuneration and merit
Despite the many challenges in Good	–	2.5%,	Satisfactory	–	1.5%.	At	the	
2012, including on the financial front, same time, I regularized the appointment 
Management made sure that staff of	IITA	staff	on	short-term	contracts	who	
welfare	and	motivation	were	given	the	 are	currently	branded	“Consultants”.	This	
highest priority. During the first year of has continued to be the case throughout 
my administration, HR announced that IITA my administration.
Management	had	approved	a	12%	increase	
I sent out a message to encourage all 
in	annual	gross	salary/remuneration	 staff to reciprocate its commitment to 
across	all	staff	categories	(PGs	1–15)	 staff	welfare	by	contributing	their	very	
in recognition of staff commitment to best in ensuring that IITA meets and 
achieving the Institute’s goals. In addition, exceeds	its	objectives	and	goals	at	all	
Management equally approved the times.	“Everyone	must	contribute	his/her	
following	2012	PAR	increases:	Exceptional	 share through individual and collective 
–	6%,	Outstanding	–	5%,	Very	Good	–	4%,	 resolve to improve on our performance 
Satisfactory	–	2%.	For	IRS,	the	general	 and commitment to excellence at 
increase	was	3%	whereas	the	merit	 all	levels.	We	should	be	strong	and	
increases	were	as	follows:	Exceptional	–	 committed during both good and difficult 
5.5%,	Outstanding	–	4.5%,	Very	good	–	3.5%,	 times”.	
The number of 
cars	owned	by	
national staff 
increased from 
17 to over 700.
31 
S tart winning research-for-development grants
Achieving the promises made during the visit  
of	Bill	Gates	at	IITA	Kano
Bill	Gates	wrote	a	letter	on	26	October	 21	Gates	Foundation-funded	projects	
2011 to me after his field visit of the where	IITA	was	the	lead	implementer,	
agricultural	projects	funded	by	the	Bill	 and	approximately	25	projects	where	
&	Melinda	Gates	Foundation	in	Kano,	 IITA is a partner to an organization 
Nigeria,	encouraging	my	leadership	 funded	by	the	Foundation.	Grants	range	
to make progress in R4D to transform in size from less than $100,000 to more 
African	agriculture.	After	5	years,	we	 than $14	million,	with	a	total	funding	
were	able	to	completely	transform	 portfolio of more than $105	million under 
IITA into one of the best international Window	3	funding.	As	a	result	of	this,	the	
agricultural	research-for-development	 number of our internationally recruited 
(AR4D)	centers.	We	had	tripled	the	income	 scientists has doubled from 117 in 2012 
and investments poured into IITA by our to	224	in	2016	and	that	of	national	staff	
development partners, from US$47	million	 from	784	to	1350.	This	financial	stability	
in 2011 to US$140	million	as	of	2016.	The	 has brought improved capacity and 
Gates	Foundation’s	first	grant	to	IITA	 high morale among our scientists and 
was	in	2009,	with	IITA	as	a	sub-grantee	 staff over the years, translated into 
on	a	cassava	project	led	by	Catholic	 unprecedented achievements in the 
Relief	Services.	By	2016,	there	had	been	 Institute’s AR4D programs.
Bill	and	Melinda	
Gates visited 
IITA in Kano 
and	Abuja	with	
AfDB	Pres.	Akin	
Adesina in 2011.
32 
Blazing the trail: People First
AflasafeTM has	caught	the	attention	of	several	stakeholders.	Here	Dr	Ranajit	 
Bandyopadhyay	(left)	explains	to	Mr	Bill	Gates	how	the	biocontrol	product	works.
Examples of Projects ‘Institutionalization of quality assurance 
mechanism and dissemination of top 
IITA	gets	US$7M	approval	 quality commercial products to increase 
for commercial products  crop yields and improve food security of	smallholder	farmers	in	sub-Saharan	
(COMPRO)	project Africa,’	the	COMPRO-II	project	aimed	
to institutionalize quality assurance 
In 2012, IITA received approval of about mechanisms and facilitate the rapid 
US$7	million	from	the	Bill	&	Melinda	Gates	 dissemination of top quality commercial 
Foundation	for	the	implementation	of	 products to increase yields and improve 
the second phase of the Commercial the food security of smallholder farmers 
Products	(COMPRO-II)	project.	Tagged	as	 in the region.
	N2Africa	grant	negotiations	with	Prem	of	the	Bill	&	Melinda	Gates	Foundation.
33 
IITA, partners launch Improvement	for	Income	and	Food	
landmark	US$12M	yam	 Security	in	West	Africa	(YIIFSWA)	project,	
initiative	for	West	Africa currently	in	its	second	phase,	was	supported	by	a	US$12	million	grant	from	
In one of the most ambitious efforts the	Bill	&	Melinda	Gates	Foundation,	and	
ever undertaken on behalf of an orphan is	being	led	by	IITA	in	collaboration	with	
crop like yam, IITA and a host of partners the	governments	of	Ghana	and	Nigeria,	
launched a groundbreaking initiative to the	UK’s	Natural	Resources	Institute	
dramatically boost yam productivity and (NRI),	the	Alliance	for	a	Green	Revolution	
double the incomes of three million yam in Africa (AGRA), and Catholic Relief 
farmers	in	West	Africa.	The	5-year	Yam	 Services (CRS).
Dr Regina Kapinga 
of the Gates 
Foundation	awards	
US$12	million	for	
the	yam	project	
in 2012 during 
the visit of the 
Honorable Minister 
of Agricultre of 
Nigeria	Dr	A.	A.	
Adesina.
Drs	Audu	Grema	and	Tom	Koe	of	the	Gates	Foundation	visiting	
IITA	to	discuss	the	TAAT	Clearinghouse	project.
34 
Blazing the trail: People First
IITA signs agreement maize,	rice,	and	wheat—four	of	the	six	
with	AfDB	formalizing	 commodities that African Heads of States, through the Comprehensive 
US$63M	SARD-SC	 African Agricultural Development 
project Program,	have	defined	as	strategic	
crops	for	Africa.	It	allowed—for	the	
On	12	March	2012,	I	signed	the	Protocol	of	 first	time	ever	in	a	single	project—
Agreement	with	the	African	Development	 continental coverage of the food security 
Bank	(AfDB)	formalizing	the	acceptance	 challenges	in	Africa.	The	project	was	
of	the	Institute	of	the	US$63.24	million	 co-implemented	by	three	Africa-based	
CGIAR Centers: IITA, AfricaRice, and the 
multinational	CGIAR	project	“Support	to	 International Center for Agricultural 
Agricultural Research for Development Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). IITA 
of	Strategic	Crops	in	Africa”	(SARD- was	the	project’s	Executing	Agency.	
SC).	SARD-SC	was	a	research,	science,	 Another	CGIAR	Center	—the	International	
and technology development initiative Food	Policy	Research	Institute	(IFPRI)—a	
aimed at enhancing the productivity specialized technical agency, supported 
and income derived from cassava, the other three Centers. 
DG Sanginga 
after 
signing the 
agreement in 
Tunisia.
35 
Vice	President,	
African 
Development 
Bank,	Ms	
Cecilia 
Akintomide in 
IITA genebank 
during her 
visit to IITA. Ms 
Akintomide 
was	glad	that	
Africa hosts 
a reservoir of 
“seeds	of	hope”.
DG Sanginga 
and	AfDB	
President,						
Dr A.A. 
Adesina, sign 
the TAAT 
and	ENABLE	
Youth 
program 
agreements.
36 
Blazing the trail: People First
Mrs	Jane	Karuku,	AGRA	President,	(middle)	was	in	IITA-Tanzania	on	a	visit	to	IITA	East	Africa	
Hub.	She	sees	IITA	as	a	dependable	“friend”	in	the	fight	against	hunger	and	poverty.
L-R:	Dr	Jennifer	Blanke,	Vice	President,	AfDB;	Dr	Sanginga,	DG,	IITA;	and	Roy	
Steiner,	Director	of	Agriculture,	Rockefeller	Foundation,	in	a	TAAT	panel	
discussion	at	World	Food	Prize,	Iowa,	USA.
37 
Partnership	with	IFAD
IITA	Director	General,	Dr	Sanginga	Nteranya	welcoming	the	IFAD	President	
Dr	Kanayo	Nwanze	and	other	VIP	guests.
President	of	IFAD	(middle)	receives	IITA	Board	Chair	NamangaNgongi	and	DG	Sanginga.
38 
Blazing the trail: People First
Partnership	with	the	World	Bank
Dr	Christophe	Carret,	Director	of	the	World	Bank	in	DRC	visits	the	
Pres.	Olusegun	Obasanjo	Research	Station,	IITA	Kalambo.
DG Sanginga participating in a panel for Agricultural leadership in Africa, organized 
by	the	World	Bank	in	Kigali,	Rwanda,	2019.
39 
Partnership	with	USAID
“Every single IITA staff 
member has demonstrated 
the effectiveness of USAID 
funding in IITA through 
dedication to their work 
and motivation to team 
up together to reach a 
common goal. The team 
spirit in IITA is visibly very 
developed and makes me 
feel like being home”.
Dr	Rob	Bertram,	Chief	Scientist	in	USAID’s	Bureau	for	Food	Security.	
Visit	of	the	USAID	Head	of	Mission	in	Abuja	at	the	Agripreneurs	building	at	IITA.
40 
Blazing the trail: People First
Visit	of	the	USAID	Head	of	mission	in	Abuja	at	the	
Agripreneurs building at IITA 
Visit	of	the	USA	Ambassador	to	IITA	Forest	project.
DG	Sanginga	visiting	the	Vice-Chancellor,	Washington	University	at	St	Louis,	Missourri.
41 
 Views	of	the	different	categories	of	staff	on	the	changes
 
Fanwong,	Fred	IITA-Cameroon
‘‘…Having	worked	with	IITA	since	1996,	I	can	say	that	the	institute	has	been	so	lucky	
to	have	a	mentor,	and	an	open-minded,	very	hard	working,	straightforward,	vision-
driven, and result yielding leader in the person of Dr Sanginga. He is an outstanding 
DG	who	believes	in	consistently	building	the	capacity	of	staff	for	growth	and	high	
productivity.	Dr	Sanginga	came	as	a	savior	to	IITA.	When	the	house	was	shaking	the	
most,	he	did	the	magic	and	today,	IITA	is	standing	solidly	and	higher.	A	DG	who	cares	to	let	his	fellow	
colleagues	know	what	is	happening	during	and	after	every	official,	local,	and	international	meetings,	
seminars,	and	conferences	with	regards	to	improving,	or	moving	IITA	to	its	highest	research	
programs and results’’.
Adewuyi	Gbemisola	Gloria,	Agripreneur,	IITA-Ibadan
‘‘Before	now,	there	was	no	provision	in	IITA	for	youth	to	be	gainfully	involved	in	
agriculture.	Dr	Sanginga	introduced	the	IITA	Youth	Agripreneurs	scheme	which	is	
why	I	am	here	today.	He	constantly	encourages	us	and	at	no	point	has	he	let	us	
down	or	looked	down	on	us.	Keep	up	the	good	work	and	it	is	my	hope	that	he	will	
go for a second term’’.
Simon	Boniface,	Research	Associate/Vector	Entomologist,	
IITA-Tanzania
‘‘Dr	Sanginga	is	very	approachable	and	freely	mingles	with	staff	at	all	levels	from	
scientists	to	janitors.	He	has	also	introduced	a	culture	of	transparency	at	IITA	and	
regularly	updates	us	on	what	is	going	on,	both	good	and	bad.
When	we	first	met	him,	he	said	he	was	going	to	bring	transparency	to	the	institution	
in	terms	of	staff	remuneration,	he	has	done	that	and	we	now	know	the	salary	scale	
for	all	the	PG	levels.	I	also	especially	commend	him	for	the	IITA	Youth	Agripreneurs	
program.	In	many	African	countries,	many	youth	who	have	finished	their	education	are	idle	as	there	
are	no	jobs.	But	the	youth	in	agribusiness	program	is	tackling	this	big	problem.	Here	in	Tanzania,	I	
have seen the fruits of this program. I have tasted the soymilk they are producing. It tastes great’’.
Eveline	Odiambo,	Regional	Administrator,	IITA-Tanzania
‘‘In	the	last	three	years	we	have	seen	more	decentralization	as	more	responsibilities	
have been transferred to the Hubs. Tanzania in particular has seen great changes 
with	the	completion	and	launch	of	its	new	science	building.	The	DG	has	pushed	us	
to	bring	out	the	best	in	ourselves	in	terms	of	the	way	he	expects	delivery	of	service.	
He	is	a	transformational	leader	who	has	inspired	staff	by	using	practical	examples	
42 based	on	his	own	life	experience’’.
Blazing the trail: People First
Tamo,	Manuele	(IITA-Benin)
‘‘Dr Sanginga is a good pilot for the IITA plane. He leads by example and not by 
force. He is a visionary leader and has put smiles on the faces of staff. His personal 
engagement,	touch,	and	powerful	negotiation	skills	have	helped	to	encourage	and	
motivate	staff	to	focus	on	the	“bigger	picture”	thereby	reaching	new	frontiers’’.
 Sophia	Swai,	Receptionist,	IITA-Tanzania
‘‘I have seen many changes in the last three years. The most notable for me has 
been	the	rapid	growth	of	the	Hub.	Sanginga	has	been	a	good	leader.	He	has	taken	
care	of	his	staff	and	their	welfare.	Before	Dr	Sanginga,	we	worked	for	many	years	
at	IITA	on	the	same	grade	and	without	a	significant	increase	in	salary.	But	after	he	
assumed	office,	Dr	Sanginga	recognized	staff	effort.	I	was	promoted	after	10	years	
of being on the same pay grade’’. 
Dr	Elizabeth	Parkes,	Harvestplus	Cassava	breeder,	Ibadan
’’The	decision	of	the	DG	and	management	to	provide	a		building	where	the	IITA	
cassava	and	yam	teams	can	work	comfortably	was	a	good	decision.	He	refurbished	
the	old	building	and	put	it	in	very	good	shape.	It	is	now	indeed,	like	a	modern	office	
with	a	modest	laboratory.	There	is	no	doubt	that	good	science	will	take	place	there.	
The	new	building	and	the	modern	facilities	for	staff,	students,	and	technicians	alike	
send	a	crystal-clear	message	to	all	who	work	for	hours	on	the	field	in	the	tropical	
sun	that	their	hard	work,	commitment	and	efforts	in	driving	forward	IITA’s	R4D	agenda	are	
greatly appreciated’’.
Rod	Bishop,	Head,	FMS
There	have	been	a	lot	of	changes;	the	leadership	style	of	inclusivity,	knowledge	
sharing...	We	are	now	seeing	the	benefits	of	teams	producing	excellent	results…	
the	same	people,	the	same	tools.	Treating	people	with	respect	has	been	the	
fundamental	change	that	I	have	seen…	also	the	physical	changes.	When	you	give	a	
workman	a	neat	place	to	work,	you	can	demand	neat	work.	We	are	also	working	in	
Abuja,	Tanzania,	Bukavu,	etc.	The	tremendous	change	has	uplifted	all	of	us.	What	has	been	responsible	
for	this	is	the	leadership.	Human	beings	respond	to	the	leader.	When	a	father	behaves	in	a	certain	way	
the	children	follow.
Bukky	Adeyemo,	President	of	Senior	Staff	Association
From	the	first	day	Dr	Sanginga	stepped	into	IITA,	there	have	been	a	lot	of	changes.	
For	instance,	right	from	the	gatehouse,	you	see	the	beauty	of	IITA.	Also	the	interaction	
among	staff	is	better	and	you	can	see	joy	in	the	eyes	of	people.	The	style	of	
administration	is	transparent	and	open	which	builds	trust	and	hope.	People	are	now	
happy	to	work.	He	has	the	mind	for	improving	the	lives	of	humanity.
43 
Femi	Akeredolu,	President,	Management	Staff	Association	
There has been a tremendous change and the DG himself is a change agent 
prepared by God for a time like this and for the transformation of the entire 
system. The staff morale has increased and not that he doubled people’s 
salary…	the	infrastructural	development	is	amazing,	and	everybody	is	now	
proud being part of the system.
Ranjana	Bhattacharjee,	Molecular	Geneticist
The	major	change	that	is	visible	is	the	morale	of	the	staff.	People	are	 
now	ready	to	go	the	extra	mile	for	the	benefit	of	IITA.	Another	change	is	the	
recognition of staff contributions and also making capacity building and 
partnership a prime focus. Another is the visibility of IITA. IITA is more visible 
now	than	before.
Sami	Mazumdar,	Head,	HOTCAT
People	are	more	confident	to	contribute,	and	they	feel	more	secure.	The	
place	looks	much	cleaner,	better,	and	we	are	not	lagging	behind.
Stefan	Hauser,	Systems	Agronomist	and	CRP	Leader	for	
Humidtropics
A	lot	has	changed	in	a	very	short	time;	historically	we	were	using	our	 
facilities	for	research	and	relaxation	(entertainment).	That	was	not	the	
case	when	Dr	Sanginga	took	over	because	large	parts	were	“no	go”	areas.	
We	had	to	open	the	“no	go”	areas	for	research.	Also,	the	strategic	approach	
to natural resources management is another change.
Lava	Kumar,	Head,	Germplasm	Health	Unit
The passion for IITA has dramatically increased. This passion translates into 
productivity…	this	is	the	biggest	change	I	have	seen.	On	the	research	side,	
we	have	been	given	a	new	direction	to	focus	upstream.
44 
Blazing the trail: People First
Setting  the youth 
Agripreneurs program
One	of	my	most	important	legacies	 opportunities for young people in 
has been the creation of the IITA Youth Africa. The opportunities across value 
Agripreneurs (IYA) program in August chains in agriculture are sufficient to 
2012.	We	started	the	program	to	address	 gainfully employ millions of unemployed 
the high rate of unemployment among graduates in Africa per year, because the 
African	youth,	with	agriculture	sitting	 food	business	is	always	in	season.	The	
as	a	goldmine,	waiting	for	an	explorer.	 IYA	initiative	has	now	been	adopted	by	
many	organizations,	especially	the	AfDB	
Over	sixty	percent	of	Africa’s	estimated	 that has scaled it to 24 countries. IYA 
1.2	billion	people	are	under	the	age	of	25;	 rekindles	the	hope	of	a	new	generation	
yet	with	little	job	creation.	Agriculture	 of African agricultural entrepreneurs 
remains an essential driver of economic that	will	feed	the	continent,	and	create	
development and an area of great wealth	and	employment.	
45 
The maiden youth Agripreneurs meeting in IITA Ibadan in August 2012.
Dr	Sanginga	with	a	young	mom,	Youth	Agripreneurs’	farm,	Ogbomoso.
46 
Blazing the trail: People First
Providing	mentorship	to	youth	agripreneurs	on	the	field.
Providing	mentorship	to	youth	agripreneurs	in	a	seminar.
47 
A youth 
Agripreneur 
from IITA Dar 
es Salaam 
receiving a 
check for 
his rabbit 
business.
Dr Sanginga 
in a field 
discussion	with	
Ugandan	Youth	
Agripreneurs.
Dr Sanginga in 
a	fitness	walk	
with	Youth	
Agripreneurs 
at IITA HQ.
48 
Blazing the trail: People First
Building	strategic	
 partnerships
President	O.O.	Obasanjo	as	IITA	Ambassador
As the first African DG of IITA, I brought and the reputation of IITA, especially 
to the fore the energy and the vibrancy with	African	partners	remained	as	the	
of a true son of Africa, encouraging most pressing challenges that had 
developments	which	are	linked	to	the	 to be resolved. I therefore requested 
big	African	organizations—the	African	 help	from	former	President	Olusegun	
Development	Bank,	the	African	Union,	 Obasanjo,	who	graciously	accepted	to	
FARA,	and	others,	while		at	the	same	time	 become Ambassador of IITA early in my 
maintaining IITA’s brand as a premier, administration. Since then, he has been of 
world-quality	research	institute	working	 tremendous help in turning IITA back into 
in	Africa.	However,	the	failed	investment	 its glory.
IITA 
Ambassador, 
Chief	Olusegun	
Obasanjo	and	
Dr Sanginga.
49 
One	of	DG	Sanginga’s	several	visits	to	Chief	Olusegun	Obasanjo’s	Presidential	
Boulevard,	Abeokuta,	2013.
Presenting	a	“refreshed	agricultural	strategy”	document	to	IITA	Goodwill	
Ambassador,	Chief	O.	Obasanjo
50 
Blazing the trail: People First
Important	Personalities	from	the	Nigerian	Government 
First	official	
visit of the 
Honorable 
Minister of 
Agriculture, 
Dr Adesina, 
to IITA 
during  
my early 
days as DG. 
Sami 
Mazumdar 
presenting 
IITA cassava 
bread 
to the 
Honorable 
Minister of 
Agriculture, 
Dr Akin 
Adesina.
51 
President	Goodluck	Jonathan	presenting	cassava	bread	from	IITA	to	Nigeria	on	national	TV.
Former	President,	Chief	Olusegun	Obasanjo	tasting	the	cassava	bread	from	IITA;	
with	him	is	I-House	manager,	Mr	Samiran	Mazumdar.
52 
Blazing the trail: People First
Meeting	the	Nigerian	senators	of	the	Committee	of	Agriculture	in	Abuja.
DG	Sanginga	and	Ondo	State	Governor,	Senator	Olusegun	Mimiko.	“I	will	support	IITA,”	
the Governor told the DG.
53 
DG 
Sanginga 
shaking 
hands 
with	the	
Oyo	State	
Governor, 
Senator 
Abiola 
Ajimobi.	“I	
will	support	
IITA,”	the	
Governor 
told the DG.
Ondo	State	
Governor, 
H.E.	Olusegun	
Mimiko 
together	with	
the	FARA	
Board	on	a	
visit to IITA.
54 
Blazing the trail: People First
Partnerships	with	VIPs	of	CGIAR	
International agricultural chiefs commend high quality of 
research at IITA
The	Chair	of	the	Consortium	Board	 Consortium	Centers:	Dr	Papa	Seck	of	
of	CGIAR,	Dr	Carlos	Pérez	del	Castillo,	 AfricaRice	and	Dr	Jimmy	Smith	of	the	
commended the high quality of research International	Livestock	Research	Institute	
work	being	undertaken	by	IITA,	emphasizing	 (ILRI).
that	this	is	needed	now	more	than	ever	
to tackle the challenges to food security Dr	Pérez	del	Castillo	said,	“We	are	very	
of tropical nations not only in Africa but impressed	with	our	interactions	with	IITA	
also	the	rest	of	the	world.	Dr	Pérez	del	 scientists and the high quality of science 
Castillo	was	at	the	Ibadan	campus	of	IITA	 they are doing in various fields. Their 
for	an	official	visit.	He	was	accompanied	 degree of commitment and passion to 
by	the	Chief	Executive	Officer	of	the	 IITA’s mission of eradicating hunger and 
CGIAR	Consortium,	Dr	Frank	Rijsberman;	 poverty through their science is nothing 
IITA	Board	Chair,	Dr	Bruce	Coulman;	and	 short	of	amazing.	We	are	extremely	happy	
the Directors General of two	other	CGIAR	 with	what	we’ve	seen	during	this	visit.”
IITA	Director	General,	Dr	Sanginga	welcoming	the	CGIAR	Consortium	Board	Chairman,	
Dr	Calos	Perez	del	Castello,	Consortium	Chief	Executive	Dr	Frank	Rijsberman,	and	the	
Director	General	of	Africa	Rice	Dr	Papa	Seck	to	IITA.
55 
Dr	Sanginga	with	Dr	Harold	Roy	Macauley,	DG	of	AfricaRice	during	his	visit	to	IITA	HQ.
IITA	BoT	Chair,	Dr	Bruce	Coulman;	CGIAR	Board	Chair,	Carlos	Pérez	del	Castillo,	IITA	DG,	 
Dr	Sanginga	Nteranya;	ILRI	DG,	Jimmy	Smith,	CGIAR	CEO,	Frank	Rijsberman,	and	DDG	 
(Partnership	and	Capacity	Development),	Dr	Kenton	Dashiell	in	Ibadan.
56 
Blazing the trail: People First
DG	Sanginga,	Bernard	Vanlauwe,	and	the	DG	of	CIAT	Dr	Ruben	
Echeverria	at	the	CIALCA	conference	in	Kigali,	Rwanda.
DG	Sanginga,	Godwin	Atser	(IITA),	and	IFPRI	DG,	Dr	Shenggen	Fan	during	a	meeting	
at IITA HQ Ibadan.
57 
L-R:	Maize	breeders,	Drs	Baffour	Badu-Apraku,	Abebe	Menkir,	IITA	DG	Sanginga,	CIMMYT	
DG	Thomas	Lumpkin,	Wilfred,	Abdoulaye	Tahirou,	and	Sam	Ajala.	Dr	Lumpkin	wanted	more	
collaboration	with	IITA	and	commended	joint	efforts	so	far	in	maize	breeding.
L-R:	Nigeria	Country	Manager,	HarvestPlus,	Paul	Ilona;	IITA	DG	Sanginga;	Director	General,	
HarvestPlus,	Dr	Howarth	Bouis;	and	IITA-DDG	(P&CD),	Dr	Kenton	Dashiell.
58 
Blazing the trail: People First
IITA	helps	partners	grow.	Here	IITA	led	the	CGIAR	team	to	the	University	of	Ibadan	for	a	
familiarization	tour.	UI	is	the	oldest	university	in	Nigeria	and	one	of	the	closest	allies	of	
IITA in the fight against hunger and poverty.
DG	Nteranya	Sanginga	shake	hands	with	Prof.	Christian	Borgemeister,	icipe Director 
General, after signing a memorandum of understanding.
59 
DG	Sanginga	with	Professor	Bart	De	Moor,	Vice-Rector,	International	Policy,	
Katholieke	Universiteit	(KU)	Leuven.
IITA	DG,	Dr	Nteranya	Sanginga,	in	a	discussion	with	the	Director	General	
of Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Abdulai 
B.	Salifu,	a	former	student	at	IITA.	2015.
60 
Blazing the trail: People First
L-R:	Shantanu	Mathur	(IFAD),	IITA	DG,	Nteranya	Sanginga,	and	IFAD	President,	Dr	
Kanayo	Nwanze	during	IFAD’s	president’s	visit	to	IITA	in	Ibadan.
IITA	DG	Sanginga	and	Cameroon	Minister	for	External	Relations,	Mr	Pierre	Moukoko	
Mbonjo.	The	Minister	promised	to	help	IITA	to	carry	out	its	mandate	in	Cameroon.
61 
Dr	Nteranya	
Sanginga 
(left)	and	Vice	
Chancellor	Lisa	
Sennerby	Forsse,	
Swedish	University	
of Agricultural 
Sciences	(SLU),	
signed	a	five-
year cooperation 
agreement.
Dr	Nteranya	
Sanginga 
(left)	and	Vice	
Chancellor	Peter	
Holger,	Swedish	
University	of	
Agricultural 
Sciences	(SLU)	in	
2018.
62 
Blazing the trail: People First
Japanese	Ambassador	to	Nigeria,	His	Excellency	Mr	Ryuichi	Shoji	(right),	visited	IITA	badan	
and	sought	stronger	ties	between	IITA	and	the	Embassy.	He	also	wanted	IITA	to	help	his	 
government	in	the	Grant	for	Grassroots	Projects.
DG	Sanginga	and	Dyno	Keatinge,	DG	of	AVDRC,	during	a	visit	to	Taiwan.
63 
Meeting	African	Presidents	and	advocates	
for IITA
IITA International 
School pupils 
welcoming	
the former 
president and 
IITA ambassador, 
Chief	Olusegun	
Obasanjo	with	
a bouquet of 
flowers	during	
his first visit 
to IITA after 
accepting to be 
Amabassador.
DG Sanginga 
welcoming	Chief	
Obasanjo	at	IITA	
International 
House.
64 
Blazing the trail: People First
The	Biodiversity	Center	in	 
Cotonou,	Benin.	The	President	of	
Benin	Patrice	Talon	welcomes	DG	
Sanginga and volunteers to  
promote this center of excellence 
at	the	COP22	meeting	in	Morocco.
DG	Sanginga	greets	President	Kabila	of	DRC	during	the	inauguration	of	the	agriculture	
industrial	park	in	Bukanga	Lonzo.
65 
DG	Sanginga	welcomes	the	Ooni	of	Ife	to	IITA	campus	during	the	cocoa	workshop.
Former	Presidents	Gowon	and	Obasanjo,	AfDB	President	Adesina,	and	DG	
Sanginga during the opening of the AA Adesina Agripreneurs building at IITA.
66 
Blazing the trail: People First
President	Tshisekedi	of	DRC,	Chief	Obasanjo,	and	Dr	Sanginga	at	the	launch	of	
Olusegun	Obasanjo	IITA	Research	Campus,	Kalambo,	DRC.
Unveiling	the	new	Olusegun	Obasanjo	IITA	Research	Campus,	Kalambo,	DRC.
67 
Group photo of dignitaries at the historic event in Kalambo, DRC.
Dignitaries	including	H.E.President	of	Tanzania,	President	Mpoka,	Chief	Obasanjo,and	
IITA	Board	memebers	at	the	launch	of	IITA	Science	Building,	Tanzania,	in	2013.
68 
Blazing the trail: People First
Dr Sanginga  
welcoming	the	President	 
of	DRC	and	the	First	Lady	 
to IITA Kalambo  
station during the  
inauguration of 
President	O.Obasanjo	
IITA Research Station, 
KAlambo,  
Bukavu,	DRC.
Dr Sanginga on a 
visit to the office 
of	President	 
Tshisekedi of DRC.
69 
Dr	Sanginga,	colleagues	from	IITA,	in	a	roundtable	discussion	with	Prime	Minister	of	DRC,	
Matata Mpoyo. 
Meeting	with	
Presidents	of	
Rwanda	and	
Ghana during 
the AGRA 
meeting after 
receiving the 
Africa	Food	
Prize,	2018. 
70 
Blazing the trail: People First
Winning	Awards
Ongoing	panel	discussion	at	the	World	Food	Prize	with	reps	from	AfDB,	IITA,	and	
the	Gates	Foundation,	with	Chief	Obasanjo	-	Iowa,	USA.
Charity 
Mutegi 
received 
the	Norman	
Borlaug	
Award	
for	Field	
Research and 
Application, 
2013.
71 
Dr Sanginga 
awarded	
with	
Honoris 
causa at 
KU	Leuven,	
Belgium.
IITA 
Principal	
Scientist 
Rony 
Swennen	
receiving 
a	Banana	
Prize	in	
India,	2019.
72 
Blazing the trail: People First
2017	ISTRC-AB	Awardees
Dr	Nteranya	Sanginga Dr Maria Andrade Dr	Victor	Manyong Dr Robert Asiedu Dr Alfred Dixon
(IITA) (IITA Alumnus) (IITA) (IITA) (IITA)
Dr	Mpoko	Bokanga Dr	Nzola	Mahungu	 Prof	Malachy	Akoroda Dr Regina Kapinga Late	Dr	Maria	Kenneth
(IITA Alumnus) (IITA) (IITA Alumnus) (IITA) Nwosu	(IITA)
Evelyn	Ohanwusi	(center),	Head	of	IYA	Office,	receiving	the	2019	
International	Award	for	Sustainable	Food	and	Agriculture.
73 
Africa	Food	Prize	award
Dr 
Sanginga 
and Chief 
Obasanjo	
at the 
Africa 
Food	Prize	
awarding	in	
2018.
Staff and top 
management 
of IITA 
celebrating 
the Africa 
Food	Prize	
award	
in Kigali, 
Rwanda.
74 
Blazing the trail: People First
Dignitaries	and	friends	of	IITA	at	the	Africa	Food	Prize	awarding	ceremony.
75 
Blazing the trail: 
People First
Nteranya
Sanginga
01 People First
Blazing 
02 Rejuvenation of IITA the trail Infrastructure
series: 03
Building the next generation  
of ‘‘Agribusiness’’ Leaders
04 The long journey to leadership in African Agriculture
www.iita.org