• Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture
• Born on the 5th of February 1961 to the family of Alhaji (Engr.) Biliaminu Kayode Fashola of Isalegangan and Mrs Olayemi Olamide Bamisile of Alawode lane, Isale Eko, Lagos Island Local Government area of Lagos State. Dr. Oluwarotimi Omotola Fashola is a Farming Systems Agronomist / Developmental Expert in Rice Value Chain with over 35 years’ experience.
• Rotimi had his primary school education in Ibadan and his secondary school in Aiyetoro, both in the then Western State now Oyo and Ogun State respectively. While in Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro popularly called “Compro”, he was active in many sporting activities and went on to represent the state in Volley-ball during the Western State Sport festival.
• He later proceeds to the University of Ife, School of Agriculture in Akure for his National Diploma (ND) in General Agriculture, after this he went to Lagos State College of Science and Technology, Ikorodu for his Higher National Diploma (HND). He was a member of the Cadet Corp at the college amongst other things. During his NYSC 1985/86 he was at different times the platoon and parade commander. He had a state award at the end of his service year.
• Rotimi Fashola started his working career in 1986 with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) a member of the prestigious CGIAR system. He later joined the West African Rice Development Association (WARDA) now referred to as Africa Rice. Both are International Research Centres.
• Not done with his academic pursuit Rotimi Fashola got a Japanese scholarship to further his education at the Master’s level by attending the University of Shimane in Matsue, Shimane-Ken, Japan, where he obtained Master of Science in Agriculture (M. Agric.). He continued with another scholarship for his Doctoral Degree at the University of Tottori, Tottori Japan. There he obtained his Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) specializing in Soil fertility in Rice Farming Systems. He studied and worked under Prof.T .Wakatsuki, a world renown expert on SAWAH System. At the completion of his Ph.D. program together with his professor he got a grant to introduce the SAWAH systems to Nigeria and Ghana Rice farming systems.
• Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola returned to Nigeria in 2001 and had his post-doctoral fellowship with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with a special funding from Japan. At the end of his two-year post-doctoral fellowship, he became a scientist in IITA under the HIROSE Project, a Japanese funded developmental program for Rice farming systems in Nigeria and Ghana.
• While in IITA and WARDA he travelled extensively in Nigeria, Africa and across the World for his research activities and had many collaborations with National research institutes of various countries in Nigeria and abroad. Dr Fashola has many publications in peer review journals, conferences and seminars. He equally had contributed to book publications. He gives expert opinions on Rice on electronic and print media. He is a member of many professional bodies. A Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and a Fellow, Institute of Management Consultant (FIMC).
• In 2007, Dr. Fashola was called upon to appraise the Agricultural system of Lagos State, his report was submitted to the government. In 2008, he was engaged as a consultant to the government for Agriculture. He worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. He started the Rice for Job Programme, where youths were trained in the act of modern Rice farming, processing and packaging especially with OFADA Rice and other Rice varieties. It was also during the period that the first Imota Rice Mill was established in 2012. The foundation of the Rice Value Chain was laid during his time which led to the LAKE Rice and other programmes in Rice at the Ministry and the State at large. Many youths were brought to the Rice farming system and the interest on Rice was kindled during his time.
• Dr Fashola also had worked in the private sector. He is a senior partner at OIT Fash Consults and had consulted for some states and many private companies and individual entrepreneurs.
• In December 2021, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola was appointed as the Special Adviser on Agriculture with special charge on Rice Mill Initiative by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. A position he held until May 26th 2023 when the Lagos State Executive Council was dissolved.
