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AKAOGU, IJEOMA CHINYERE

Plant Breeder and Geneticist

Mobile: +234 806*******

E-mail: advrd0@r.postjobfree.com

Date of Birth: 18th September, 1986. Country: Nigeria. I am a result-oriented team player with more than 10 years vast experience in managing agricultural biotechnology research for development targeted at improved production, productivity, and poverty alleviation of resource poor farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. I have substantial experience in product development, varietal release and commercialization of climate resilient, high yielding and stable crop varieties, design of breeding experiments, confined field trials, regional and international trial management, data management and interpretation. I am a strong supporter of biotechnology innovations and interventions in agricultural systems for smallholder farmers through multi stakeholder involvement. I am skilled at providing technical support for biosafety assessment, regulatory affairs, stewardship and policy interventions in areas such as food and nutrition security, gender, food safety assessment and climate change. I have experience in developing high-level communication and media strategies, budgets, and contracts management, mentoring and building strong teams. I have a good understanding of USAID funded projects with more than ten (10) papers published in peer reviewed journals.

Skills and Competencies

• Project management

• Biosafety and regulatory science

• Biotechnology stewardship affairs

• Project monitoring and evaluation

• Excellent communication, media and public outreach engagement skills,

• Networking and inter-personal skill

• Private-public partnership and multi-stakeholder management

• Resource mobilization

• Budget preparation and management

• Seed commercialization and varietal release

• Projects’ data entry, analysis and interpretation

• Technical report writing

• Project proposal and grant writing for research and development

• Proficiency in computer applications

• Policy advocacy

• Highly committed to integrity, dedication and excellence

• Strong planning skills and a natural attention to detail

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize what needs to be done during a very busy day

• Willingness to learn and an inherent curiosity to understand how things work Project Management

• Oversees confined field testing of transgenic Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea for efficacy, agronomic performance, environmental safety assessments, food and 2

feed safety towards de-regulation and commercial release at relevant national agricultural research institutes of Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Ghana.

• Facilitate work plan development, budgeting, supervision of consultants, preparation and management of contracts for the NARS partners.

• Assist with the planning and execution of the PBR cowpea project activities at the partnering countries.

• Planning and designing projects using appropriate experimental designs and layout to achieve the research goals.

• Data collection, entry and analysis using statistical packages like SAS, GENSTAT, GGE Biplot, AMMI and R software.

• Participated in field testing of maize for efficacy, agronomic performance and commercial release at relevant National Agricultural Research Institutes in Nigeria.

• Preparation of technical reports and journal publications. Biosafety and Regulatory Science

• Supports with regulatory agencies such as National Biosafety Authorities of Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other relevant regulatory bodies to obtain applicable regulatory approvals and permits for AATF projects in West Africa.

• Ensure regulatory compliance by the National Agricultural Research Systems

(NARS) at project countries.

• Implements capacity strengthening efforts of partner countries during testing and deployment of regulated agricultural technologies and innovations. Biotechnology Stewardship

• Coordinate the implementation of a stewardship plan for sustainable long-term benefit of the PBR cowpea varieties at the project countries (Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso).

• Participate in the development of stewardship booklets for seed companies, seed certification officers and extension agents for PBR cowpea varieties.

• Supports the development and implementation of standard operating procedures

(SOPs) for PBR cowpea early generation seeds and certified seed production.

• Facilitate PBR cowpea stewardship compliance by the seed companies, farmers and extension agents using the SAMAWATI App for durability of the product.

• Implements a capacity building program for the National Stewardship Committee and extension agents on stewardship and good agronomic practices of PBR cowpea in Nigeria.

Varietal Development, Deployment and Commercialization

• Actively involved in the development and commercialization of outstanding maize hybrids with combined resistance/tolerance to Striga hermonthica, drought and low nitrogen levels in Nigeria in collaboration with IITA maize unit under the DTMA and STMA projects.

• Supports development and deployment of PBR cowpea varieties for commercialization and upscaling in Nigeria.

• Assist with on-farm demonstration of the PBR cowpea in Nigeria 3

• Participate with the engagement of seed companies and other private sector stakeholders for the commercialization and official unveiling of PBR cowpea

(SAMPEA 20-T) in Nigeria.

Communication and Media Engagement

• Supports the development, implementation and monitoring of project communication strategies and plans

• Enhance project visibility, dialogue and partner engagements through presentation and media outreach.

Education

December 2017: PhD. Plant Breeding

West Africa Center for Crop Improvement, University of Ghana Legon, Accra, Ghana

Project Title: Genetic Analysis of Drought Tolerant Early Maize Inbreds with Striga Resistance Genes from Zea diploperrennis and Identification of QTLs for Striga Resistance (UG/IITA/Cornell/AGRA/USAID funded project)

November 2011: MSc. Agronomy (Plant Breeding and Seed Production major) University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Grade: PhD Grade

Dissertation Title: Heterotic Patterns of Extra-early Tropical Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred lines under Striga Infestation and Drought in Nigeria.

(BMGF/AGRA funded)

May 2007: BSc. Plant Science and Biotechnology

Imo State University, Owerri

Nigeria.

Grade: Second Class (Upper Division)

Working Experience

2020 – Till Date: Program Officer -Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)

Abuja, Nigeria.

Achievements: i. Commercialization and upscaling of PBR cowpea

(SAMPEA 20-T) in Nigeria. ii. Obtain trial permit for the Cry2Ab evaluation in Burkina Faso. iii. Environmental release of Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea in Ghana iv. De-regulation of TELA maize in Nigeria. V. Stewardship compliance and monitoring of PBR cowpea varieties in Nigeria. Vi. Involved with introgression of the Cry 1Ab (Bt gene) into other farmer preferred varieties in Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso. 4

2019 – Till Date: Secretary General

Nigerian Plant Breeders Association

Achievements: Facilitated the forming of the Nigerian Plant Breeders association and led the association for 1 year before election of substantial Excos which I was elected as the pioneer secretary general. (ii) Organized the maiden conference of the association.

2016/2017: Visiting Scientist (BORLAUG LEAP Fellow) Institute of Biotechnology

Cornell University Ithaca

New York, USA.

Achievement: Identification of the region on the maize chromosome conferring resistance to Striga hermonthica

2010-2020?: National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Department of Agricultural Biotechnology

Umaru Musa Yar’adua Express Way, Lugbe –Abuja

Present Position: Chief Research Officer (CRO) and Project Manager of NABDA and BIOCROPS Collaboration on 5 million seed yams production using aeroponics and yam minisette techniques.

Achievement: (i) Successfully conducted the pro-vitamin A maize trials to select promising lines for commercialization and release in Nigeria

(ii) Managed the rapid production of 1 million elite seed yam varieties for distribution to vulnerable yam farmers in Nigeria

(ii) Successfully organized the maiden e-conference of the Nigerian Plant Breeders Association on the theme “Food and Nutrition Security: Plant Breeding Strategies in Changing and Challenging Times” 2009-2017: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Maize Improvement Unit

PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001,

Oyo State, Nigeria.

Position: Research Fellow and Project Supervisor of Extra-Early and Early Maturing Maize under Stress Tolerance in Nigeria. Achievement: (i) commercialization and release of some Striga resistant and drought tolerant maize hybrids in Nigeria, Ghana and Mali which are contributing to food security, poverty alleviation and increased income for smallholder farmers in the region.

(ii) Successfully managed the terminal drought maize trials at Zaria and Kano for efficacy and good agronomic traits.

2008/2009: National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

Department of Agricultural Biotechnology

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National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Abuja. March – Sept, 2006. Industrial Training (IT)

Department of Medicinal Plants and Pharmacognosy

National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu, Abuja.

Project Title: Phytochemical Screening and Macroscopic Analysis of Anogessuis leocarpus (D.C. Gwill & Perr) Leaves for Tuberculosis Treatment Workshops and Trainings

2022 Training on Agricultural Biotechnology, Biosafety and Stewardship Michigan State University

31st July – 12th August 2022

USA.

2013 Short Course on Soybean Breeding and Biotechnology Michigan State University

25th August – 6th October, 2013

USA.

2013 Short Course in Agricultural Biotechnology

Michigan State University

8th – 20th September, 2013

USA.

2013 Short Course in Molecular Plant Breeding

Michigan State University

25th – 30th August, 2013

USA.

2013 Short Course in Genetic Analysis and Plant Breeding International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

21st – 25th January 2013

El-Batan, Texcoco, Mexico City.

2012 3RD Africa-Wide Women and Young Professionals in Science Competition Scientific Writing, Communication and Policy Advocacy Workshop for Semi-finalist in Conjunction with the 3rd RUFORUM Biennial Conference 24th – 28th September 2012

Entebbe, Uganda.

2008 Training on Tissue Culture Techniques and Protocol Development for Food and Tree Crops

National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology 10th – 21st November 2008

Ibadan, Nigeria.

2008 Training Course on Snail Production

National Biotechnology Development Agency Abuja

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November, 2008

Abuja, Nigeria.

Membership of Professional Bodies

Genetics Society of Nigeria (GSN)

African Crop Science Society (ACSS)

Crop Science Society of America (CSSA)

International Association of Research Scholars and Fellows (IARSAF) Nigerian Plant Breeders Association (NPBA)

Awards:

2016 Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agricultural Program (LEAP) Cornell University Ithaca New York, USA

Amount awarded: ($ 20, 000)

2016 Outstanding Scientist Award in NABDA

2014 West Africa Center for Crop Improvement

PhD Scholarship at University of Ghana

2013 3rd Africa-wide Women and Young Professionals in Science Competition Position: 3rd Prize Winner

2009 Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Scholarship MSc Scholarship at University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Publications:

Peer Reviewed Journal Papers:

Badu-Apraku, B., Fakorede, M.A.B., Akinwale, R.O., Adewale, S.A., and Akaogu, I.C., (2021) Developing high yielding Striga resistant maize in sub-Saharan Africa. CAB Reviews 2021: 16, No. 030.

Ijeoma Chinyere Akaogu, Baffour Badu-Apraku, Vernon Gracen, Pangirayi Tongoona, Melaku Gedil, Nnanna Unachukwu, Samuel Kwame Offei, Daniel Kwadjo Dzidzienyo, Sarah Hearne, Ana Luisa Garcia-Oliveira (2020) Genetic Diversity and Inter-Trait Relationships among Maize Inbreds Containing Genes from Zea diploperennis and Hybrid Performance under Contrasting Environments. Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1478. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101478

Akaogu, I.C., Badu-Apraku, B., Tongoona, P., Ceballos, H., Gracen, V., Offei, S.K., & Dzidzienyo, D. (2019). Inheritance of Striga hermonthica adaptive traits in an early maturing white maize inbred line containing resistance genes from Zea diploperennis. Journal of Plant Breeding DOI: 10.1111/pbr.12707.

Akaogu, I.C., Badu-Apraku, B., & Adetimirin, V.O. (2017). Combining ability and performance of extra-early maturing yellow maize inbreds in hybrid combinations under 7

drought and rain-fed conditions. Journal of Agricultural Science Cambridge, 155(10), 1520-1540.

Akaogu, I.C., Badu-Apraku, B., Adetimirin, V.O., Vroh-Bi, I., Oyekunle, M., Akinwale, R.O.

(2012) Genetic Diversity Assessment of Extra-early Maturing Yellow Maize Inbreds and Hybrid Performance in Striga-infested and Striga-free Environments. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 151: 519-537.

Badu-Apraku, B., Annor, B., Oyekunle, M., Akinwale, R.O., Fakorede, M.A.B., Talabi, A.O., Akaogu, I.C., Gedil,M., Fasanmade, T.Y. (2015) Grouping of Early Maturing Quality Protein Maize Inbreds based on SNP Markers and Combining Ability under Multiple Environments. Field Crops Research 183: 169-183.

Badu-Apraku, B., Fakorede, M.A.B., Gedil, M., Talabi, A.O., Annor, B., Oyekunle, M., Akinwale, R.O., Fasanmade,T.Y., Akaogu, I.C., Aderounmu, M. (2015) Heterotic Responses among Crosses of IITA and CIMMYT Early White Maize Inbred lines under Multiple Stress Environments. Euphytica. DOI: 10.1007/s10681-015-1506-0. Badu-Apraku, B., Fakorede, M.A.B., Talabi, A.O., Oyekunle, M., Akaogu, I.C., Akinwale, R.O., Annor, B., Gedil,M., Fasanmade, T.Y., Aderounmu, M. (2016) Gene Action and Heterotic Groups of Early White Quality Protein Maize Inbreds under Multiple Stress Environments. Crop Science 56: 183-199. DOI: 10.2135/cropsci 2015.05.0276. Badu-Apraku, B., Fakorede, M.A.B., Gedil,M., Annor, B., Talabi, A.O., Akaogu, I.C., Oyekunle, M., Akinwale, R.O., Fasanmade, T.Y. (2016) Heterotic Patterns of IITA and CIMMYT Early-Maturing Yellow Maize Inbreds under Contrasting Environments. Agronomy Journal 108: 1-16.

Badu-Apraku, B., Yallou, C.G., Alidu, H., Talabi, A.O., Akaogu, I.C., Annor, B., Adeoti, A.

(2016) Genetic Improvement of Extra-early Maize Cultivars for Grain Yield and Striga Resistance during Three Breeding Eras. Crop Science 56:1-15. DOI: 10.2135/cropsci 2016.02.0089.

Badu-Apraku, B., Oyekunle, M., Talabi, A.O., Annor, B., Akaogu, I.C. (2016) Changes in Genetic Variances and Heritabilities in an Early White Maize Population following S1 Selection for Grain Yield, Striga Resistance and Drought Tolerance. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge doi:10.1017/S0021859616000770 Conference Proceedings and Abstracts

Akaogu, I.C., Badu-Apraku, B., Adetimirin, V.O., Oyekunle, M. (2011) Performance of Extra-early Maize Inbreds under Striga-infested and non-infested conditions in Nigeria. Proceedings of the 10th Africa Crop Science Society Conference held at Maputo, Mozambique, 10-13th October, 2011. pp. 293.

Akaogu, I.C., Badu-Apraku, B., Adetimirin, V.O., Oyekunle, M. (2012) Agronomy Performance of Extra-early Maize Hybrids under Striga Infestation, Drought and Well- watered Conditions in Nigeria. Agricultural Innovations for Sustainable Development: Contributions from the 3rd Africa-wide Women and Young Professionals in Science Competition. CTA203 Africa Wide Women- WordPress.com. Volume 4, Issue 3. 8

Akaogu, I.C., Badu-Apraku, B., Adetimirin, V.O., Annor, B. (2014) Combining Ability and Heterotic Patterns of Extra-Early Maturing Yellow Maize Inbreds and Hybrid Performance Under Stress and Non-Stress Environments in Nigeria [abstract]. ASA-CSSA- SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Nov. 2-5, 2014, Long Beach, CA. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2014am/webprogram/Paper87116.html Akaogu, I.C., Badu-Apraku, B., Gracen, V., Offei, S.K., Tongoona, P., Dzidzienyo, D. (2015) Reactions of early-maturing maize hybrids containing Striga resistance genes from Zea diploperennis under Striga infestation. Poster presented at 2015 R4D Week of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, 22-26 November, 2015, Ibadan, Nigeria. Badu-Apraku, B., Aderounmu M., Annor, B., Yallou, C.G., Haruna, A., Adu-Boakye, G., Akaogu, I.C., Talabi, A.O. (2015.) Genetic improvement for grain yield and Striga resistance of extra-early maize cultivars during three breeding eras. Poster presented at 2015 R4D Week of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, 22-26 November, 2015, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Referees:

Baffour Badu-Apraku (PhD)

Senior Scientist (Maize Breeder

and Geneticist) International

Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Ibadan Oyo Road, Moniya, Oyo

State, Nigeria.

Mobile +234 810-***-****

advrd0@r.postjobfree.com

Prof. Eric Y. Danquah

Director

West Africa Center for Crop

Improvement, University of

Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

Mobile +233*********

advrd0@r.postjobfree.com

Prof. Solomon Bamidele O.

Former Director -General,

National Biotechnology

Development Agency Abuja

Mobile +234**********

advrd0@r.postjobfree.com

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