Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics Food Security Group

The RSM2SNF National Advisory Committee (NAC) will offer strategic guidance and advice on project activities to achieve the overarching goal of supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises in increasing the availability of affordable, safe, and nutritious foods in both Nigeria and Tanzania. The NAC aims to be inclusive and representative of key stakeholders and project partners while maintaining a manageable size to ensure efficient and impactful engagement. Members will collaborate with the RSM2SNF management team to shape the annual research agenda and participate in various project-organized events, such as workshops, policy roundtables, and seminars, whenever possible.

NAC Members Nigeria

Dr. Lydia Umar

Executive Director, Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)

Dr. Umar is a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Ahmadu Bello University, and was at Kaduna Polytechnic until 2015. In 2000, Dr. Lydia Umar co–founded Gender Awareness Trust (GAT), an NGO that works towards protecting and promoting gender justice and peace. She was appointed its Executive Director in 2015. She is the Board Chair of Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) and was recognized within and outside Nigeria as a development worker, gender activist, women’s rights defender and peace building practitioner. She has a Ph.D. in Curriculum Development (Social Studies).

Ms. Yewande Kazeem

CEO, Wandieville Media

Ms. Kazeem is an awarding-winning media advocacy and communications expert; winner of the 2018 Nigerian Agriculture Journalist Award and a 2018 Cornell Global Leadership Fellow. She has worked on projects advocating for agrifood MSMEs, creating market demand for agriculture companies, supporting the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) law, promoting biofortified foods, and building strategies to promote nutritious foods. She is also the founder of Nutrition Conversations Africa (NCAfrica), a partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) that is aimed at illuminating African nutritional challenges, opportunities, ideas and solutions. Ms. Kazeem is a TEDx speaker with a B.S. from the University of Oklahoma.

Professor Olugbenga Ben Ogunmoyela
CEO, Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI)

Dr. Ogunmoyela is a professor of Food Science & Technology at Bells University of Technology, Ota since 2006 & Dean of the College of Food Sciences (2006–2014), and Dean of the Postgraduate School (2014–2016). He has over 40 years experience in agriculture, food technology and nutrition, and is the founder and President/CEO of Consumer Advocacy for Food Safety and Nutrition Initiative (CAFSANI), an NGO with a focus on protecting, informing, promoting and educating the public on the importance of safe and nutritious foods. Dr. Ogunmoyela was the 2019 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, and received his Ph.D. from the University of Reading, United Kingdom.

Prince John Oluyemi Karunwi

Chairman, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Oyo State

Mr. Karunwi is an agribusiness Consultant and Professional Farmer; Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants–Nigeria; Fellow of the Association For Entrepreneurial and Vocational Studies Professionals; and current chairman of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Oyo State chapter. He has trained many people in agribusiness operations and management, including financial management, operations’ documentation, marketing techniques and farm transaction record keeping, particularly in the fish, vegetable and poultry value chains. He studied agricultural economics at Obafemi Awolowo University and computer science at Midlands Academy of Science and Technology, Leicester, U.K.

Dr. Oluyemisi Kuku Shittu

Researcher, Consultant and Associate lecturer department of nutrition and dietetics, University of Ibadan

Dr. Shittu is a researcher, teacher and businesswoman who tries to bridge the gap between research and practice by applying research findings to solve real life problems particularly in the areas of agriculture and nutrition among low income groups. She serves pro-bono as associate lecturer with the department of nutrition and dietetics, University of Ibadan. There she offers trainings on research, technical and life skills to students to make them better suited for the job market. Dr. Shittu also runs an agricultural logistics firm that aims to ensure that farmers and other actors along the agricultural value chain get quality inputs while also facilitating their regular and timely access to markets where they can sell their output.

NAC Members Tanzania

Dr. Florens Martin Turuka

Lecturer, Sokoine University of Agriculture  & Former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries

Dr. Turuka holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Sokoine University, an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Reading, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Justus-Liebig-University Giessen.He has held key public service roles as Permanent Secretary in Tanzanian ministries, leading transformative initiatives in ICT, agriculture, and policy innovation. As a Senior Lecturer at Sokoine University, his research focuses on agricultural policy, marketing systems, and rural development, with extensive publications and contributions to projects funded by USAID, NORAD, and the EU. Dr. Turuka’s expertise bridges research, policy, and           practice, driving advancements in food security and sustainable development in           Tanzania and beyond.

Prof. David Nyange

Chief of Part SERA BORA and Policy Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture and ASPIRES

David Nyange is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University, serving as an Agricultural Policy Advisor to Tanzania's Ministry of Agriculture since 2013. Previously, he lectured at Sokoine University and played a key role at USAID in establishing Feed the Future in Tanzania, where he served as Deputy Team Leader and Senior Agricultural Economist. A leading expert in Tanzania's agricultural policy processes, David coordinates the Policy Analysis Group (PAG), a network of 25 policy institutions. As CEO of ASPIRES, he advances policy-oriented initiatives to strengthen analytical skills in agriculture and food security. David is pivotal in guiding research-driven policy recommendations into Tanzania's national agricultural dialogue for impactful change.

Janet Maro

Executive Director, Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT)

Janet is the Executive Director of Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), a nationally recognized nonprofit founded in 2011 to empower small-scale farmers through agroecology. Under her leadership, SAT has become a key player in promoting sustainable farming practices and improving livelihoods across Tanzania. Janet's achievements include being a finalist for the Tanzania Women of Achievement Awards (2013) and the Guardian International Development Achievement Award (2013). She has spoken at global events, appeared in National Geographic, and led SAT to win prestigious awards such as the Lush Spring Prize (2017) and the One World Award (2021). Her expertise in sustainable farming and her ability to inspire youth make her a valuable contributor to RSM2SNF’s annual work plans.

Dr. Gabriel Rugalema

Regional Director, World Vegetable Center

Gabriel Rugalema holds degrees in Agriculture (Sokoine University, Tanzania), Natural Resources Management (Agricultural University of Norway), and Development Studies (Institute of Social Studies, The Netherlands), along with a post-doctoral fellowship from Wageningen University. With over 30 years of experience, he has led agriculture and food security programs globally. Currently, Regional Director for WorldVeg Eastern and Southern Africa, he previously served as FAO’s Country Director in Kenya, managing extensive programs across East Africa. Gabriel’s expertise in cropping systems, policy analysis, and value chains, coupled with his commitment to improving African green leafy vegetables, makes him a vital contributor to RSM2SNF’s project plans.

Editrudith Lukanga 

Co-Founder and Executive Director of Environmental Management and Economic Development Organization (EMEDO)

Dr. Nazael Amos Madalla

Director of Aquaculture in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries

Nazael Amos Madalla, Director of Aquaculture in Tanzania's Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, holds a PhD in Aquaculture Nutrition from the University of Stirling, an M.Sc. in Aquaculture from Ghent University, and a B.Sc. in Animal Science from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania. With a career starting in 2003, he has served as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Animal, Aquaculture, and Range Sciences, supervising 61 students, authoring 40 publications, and contributing to numerous research and consultancy projects. Now overseeing aquaculture development in Tanzania, Nazael brings unmatched expertise in fish and aquaculture, making him a vital asset for advancing food security, nutrition, and policy improvements under RSM2SNF. He also contributes as a technical reviewer for project research outputs.

Halima Kazindogo Mbilinyi

Senior Training Officer

Halima Kazindogo Mbilinyi, a Senior Training Officer and Project Coordinator for the Women and Youth Development Program at SIDO, holds a Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development from the University of Dar es Salaam and a B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from Sokoine University of Agriculture. With expertise in agro-processing, food safety, and post-harvest technologies, she has led initiatives addressing post-harvest losses, rural industrialization, and SME capacity building. Collaborating with organizations like UNDP and CAMFED, Halima focuses on empowering women and youth through entrepreneurship while promoting sustainable development and food security in Tanzania.