By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
Former Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina, has urged Nigerian researchers to look beyond academic journals and textbooks and begin exploring how their discoveries can generate financial value.
Odedina, himself a scientist, expressed concern that many researchers limit their work to publications and conferences, missing opportunities to convert their findings into practical and profitable ventures. He stressed that monetising research does not reduce academic credibility but rather enhances a scientist’s relevance, influence, and societal impact.
He noted that when research findings are applied in real-life situations, they not only solve pressing problems but also create income streams for the researchers behind them. According to him, scientists must remain resilient despite challenges such as eviction, lack of land, or institutional resistance.
“My advice to early, mid, and even senior career scientists is to find ways to benefit from their own research and improve their lives,” he said. “There will always be challenges, eviction, abuse, or forceful takeover, but you must always find another place to play your game. It is legal. There’s nothing wrong with contributing to knowledge while also contributing to your own pot of soup and bank account.”
Sharing his personal journey, Odedina recalled how he and his family sponsored themselves to present cassava research at conferences in Germany and South Africa. Though his innovations were initially met with skepticism, he applied his methods on his own farm, achieving yields far above the African average.
He later ventured into large-scale cassava stem production, becoming a top supplier to processing companies and winning several Best Farmer awards for his pioneering efforts. His success opened doors to international consultancy roles with organisations such as USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, allowing him to support farmers across Africa while expanding his own agribusiness ventures.
Odedina said his story demonstrates that researchers can contribute meaningfully to knowledge while also enhancing their personal and family livelihoods. He encouraged early, young, and senior scientists to embrace opportunities that benefit both society and themselves.
He emphasised the need for Nigerian researchers to merge innovation with entrepreneurship, transforming scientific results into economic assets. According to him, Nigeria’s research ecosystem will flourish when scientists adopt a mindset that allows science and personal prosperity to thrive together.
