In this interview, 81-year-old Tunji Akiniyi tells us about his life and career
When and where were you born?
I was born on January 2, 1934, at Ipaja in Lagos State. But I hail from Igboro, Yewa North Local Government Area, in Ogun State. My family belongs to the ruling house, both in Igboro and Ipaja. The first Olu of Ipaja land came from our ruling house.
Where did you school?
I had my initial primary education at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Ipaja. I later moved to St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ebute Meta, Lagos, where I lived for some time with the late Chief J.F. Odunjo of the Alawiye fame. He had started writing the Alawiye series then, and we learnt how to pronounce properly the contents of the Alawiye books at that time. Afterwards, I attended St. Gregory’s College, Lagos. In my last year, I was made the vice-prefect and hockey captain of the college. I finished in December 1953.
You must have had an interesting childhood…
Yes. In St. Gregory College, I joined the Boys Scouts. The scouting movement was very active then and we had competitions among the houses. I had proficiency badges in swimming, cooking, and camping before I left the school. The late Rev. Father Sanusi, who became the bishop of Ijebu Ode, was our housemaster, and he used to carry me on his motorcycle around the place, looking for camping areas. I also served as an altar boy.
After St. Gregory’s College, did you proceed to the university immediately?
After St. Gregory’s College, I applied to the Ministry of Agriculture and to the Railways, and I got both appointments. But, I took agriculture. In those days, before one worked at the Railways or in the ministry, one had to sit for and pass the civil service examination, before one qualified. I passed it in 1954 and joined the Ministry of Agriculture. I started my training at the Moore Plantation, in Ibadan, Oyo State, that same year in March. I was posted to Fashola, which was 12 miles away from Oyo, on the way to Shaki. The state government at that time had three farms; a poultry farm/ investigation centre, a livestock farm, and a mechanised farm. I started in March but the school resumed in September. I spent that time on the three farms. At each month end, I had to come to Ibadan to collect my salary at the post office.
How much was your salary then?
It was 12 pounds sterling. It was good money in those days and I could buy a lot of things with it. The post office operated like a bank in those days, and it had nationwide branches. It was easy to get money as long as one had a passbook.
How would you describe your study and work experience?
It was interesting. I worked in the poultry investigation centre with the late Mr. A.O. Okulaja. My immediate boss at that time was the late Dr. Sotubo. He was an assistant agricultural officer, and later became a lecturer at the University of Ife. In the Moore Plantation training school, we had series of lectures in science subjects and agriculture. It was a three-year diploma course. During that time, we were also trained to do surveying. After the course, I was posted to the agricultural planning division in the ministry of agriculture at the secretariat in Ibadan. I worked with a Scottish agricultural economist. I was then transferred to the ministry of economic planning, and came back to agriculture. During that time, I had the opportunity to go to Japan to study agricultural cooperatives for three months in an institute called the Overseas Technical Cooperation for Africa established by the Japanese government. In 1976, When Ogun State was created; I was transferred to the ministry there after working for some time in Ibadan. I had opportunities to visit Israel, Rome, in Italy, and the US, where I went for further studies at Cornell University. I graduated in 1972 and obtained a degree in agriculture, with specialisation in management and rural development. It was through sponsorship from Ford Foundation and FAO. When I returned, I was invited to head the planning division in Ogun/Osun River Basin Authority in 1979. Before my retirement, I was lucky to be appointed the General Manager. I took over from Dr. Lekan Are, who was the first GM. I retired in October, 1987.
What happened to agriculture, which used to be a major revenue earner for the country?
I would summarise it as the result of inconsistency in policy implementation. Cocoa in the West, oil palm and rubber in Delta and Edo States, were doing very well. But, all of a sudden, because of the oil boom, attention was diverted from agriculture. People tend to forget that oil is an exhaustible resource, whereas, agriculture is a continuous resource that can be replenished. But because of the quick money from oil, when programmes were made to develop agriculture, funds were not made available to follow the policy as planned. That was what affected agriculture, despite all the efforts from agricultural programme such as Operation Feed the Nation and so on.
What can be done now to harness the sector?
The US, which is a first world power, started with agriculture, and their government gave all the support and incentives to develop their agriculture. We can do the same thing in Nigeria, if we want to. If more money is pumped into agriculture, we can achieve it. Malaysia, which is now the world’s number one producer of oil palm, got their seedlings from NIFOR in Benin, Nigeria. Now, they have overtaken and bypassed us. It is because we are not serious with agriculture. Then, we have to create areas of storage to store farm produce. Farmers in Nigeria are largely small-scale farmers, only a few are investing in agriculture. Small-scale farmers should be given more incentives to help them develop their lands. Government should be ready to assist farmers as much as possible. Agriculture used to be the major revenue earner for the country. Most of the roads in the South West region were built from revenue from cocoa.
What’s your advice to young Nigerians on the importance of agriculture?
They should develop interest in agriculture and take it seriously. I was 20 when I went into agriculture. Even though I was working for government, I had already developed interest. I kept poultry and planted maize. I still farm till today. When Operation Feed the Nation started in 1977, it was my idea that made (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo to approve these poultry farms for schools at that time.
How did that happen?
It was a discussion initiated by my Permanent Secretary, which I participated in. Also, I was given an assignment to prepare a project. Then, I mentioned that civil servants could have small cages behind their homes to raise 12 birds, feed their family with the eggs and sell to others who don’t have. Although it was a government programme, I was given the assignment in the ministry. I cannot claim it totally, but I can say I did that. I met with the Western Trading Company in Ibadan then and they manufactured cages for us to accommodate 12 birds. The government subsidised it and anyone who wanted to buy was required to pay half the sum and government paid the balance, and supplied them with birds. The programme was successful. When Obasanjo started Ota farms, I was visiting him constantly and we were exchanging ideas.
From your interactions with him, can you give an insight into Obasanjo’s personality and his passion for agriculture?
Yes, he has a passion for agriculture. Before he established Ota Farms, he had a small farm in Abeokuta, which he now calls Oko-Etile (a farm that is close to the house). He would always tell one that his interest in agriculture and its expansion grew up from there. If anyone with interest in agriculture approaches him and he is in a position to help the person start, he would do it. There is no doubt that Obasanjo has love for the country. He is a relaxed person, he is very approachable. He prays a lot and he does not joke with that, or with his Ayo game.
Who are some of your contemporaries?
I remember some of them, such as Ambassador Adegena; Dr. Adebiyi, who was in the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and he worked with the Lagos State government; Prof Okoisor; Dr. Okuboye, a surgeon in the US; and a guru in public relations, Alex Nwokedi; we were all class mates.
You still look fit at 81, what’s the secret?
It is by the grace of God. Also, I take care of myself and don’t allow anything to bother me. Problems are bound to occur, but I try to put them behind me. I also don’t anything in excess. I do not smoke. I drink occasionally, but not to stupor. I eat mostly natural food but I take mostly herbs and less orthodox drugs.
What do you like to drink?
I like drinking Irish cream, especially before I go to bed at night.
How did you meet your wife?
We were childhood friends. In school, she was a brownie (junior girls guide), while I was a cub (junior boys scout). In later years, we separated, I went to St. Gregory, and she went to St. Theresa in Ibadan. We came in contact again in 1954, when she and her friends came to Moore plantation to evangelise. That was how the relationship started. Then, there was another break, when she went to Cork University in Ireland. But we kept contact. We eventually got married in November 1964. I have been married for over 50 years. I have four children, and also grandchildren.
What’s the secret to a successful marriage?
It is understanding. Marriage is not a bed of roses; there are ups and downs, but couples should also be tolerant and forgiving with each other.
What kind of exercise do you do?
I still farm, although at my pace. I like using the hoe to till the ground. I plant potato, maize, and vegetables. The cassava I harvested from my frontage garden are used to make lafun which I am still eating. I also like driving. I still drive myself.
You have had a successful career as an agricultural economist. Do you have any regrets?
No, I don’t have any regrets. I am fulfilled. I thank God for my career successes. I got the national honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic in 2000. I am a fellow of the Agriculture Society of Nigeria, and I was also the President of the Society for about five years in the 90s. I am a knight of St. Gregory, I was knighted in 1992.
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