Engr. Mansur Ahmed

ED. Dangote Group & Ex. President, Manufacturer Association of Nigeria

Hold your applause for the remarkable Engr. Mansur Ahmed, is the visionary leader who has taken the reins as the 10th President of the esteemed Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). Picture the captivating moment when the National Council and members of MAN united at the 46th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, on that fateful Wednesday, September 26, 2018, to bestow upon him this prestigious honor.

Engr. Mansur Ahmed: Pioneering the Future of Manufacturing in Nigeria

With Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, MON's tenure gracefully ending in 2018, the stage was set for Engr. Ahmed to lead the way. Armed with an impeccable track record, he was elected to steer the Association's destiny over the next thrilling four years.

A Journey Paved with Excellence

Engr. Mansur Ahmed's journey to the pinnacle of success has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Armed with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the prestigious Nottingham University, he honed his skills and broadened his horizons with a Masters' degree in Industrial Engineering and Administration from Cranfield Institute of Technology (now Cranfield University) in 1975. But his quest for knowledge didn't stop there – he went on to obtain a post-graduate certificate in Investment Appraisal and Management from the renowned Harvard Institute of International Development.

The impact of his brilliance was felt across the nation. As the pioneer Director-General and CEO of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission of Nigeria (ICRC), he led the charge to win the coveted Africa Investor PPP Champion of the Year 2010 award. Later, as Director-General of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), he played a key role in shaping the PPP policy framework for Nigeria, laying the foundation for progress. Championing Innovation and Progress

Engr. Ahmed's illustrious career has been a tapestry of achievements. From his successful tenure at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to his adept management of manufacturing companies like Bagauda Textiles Mills and Kaduna Textiles, he has demonstrated unparalleled leadership acumen. His wisdom has graced the boards of prominent institutions like Union Bank of Nigeria, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, and Savanah Sugar Company Limited.

A true advocate of progress, he has been a prominent voice in various professional associations, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Management, and the Institute of Directors of Nigeria. Through his insightful articles, he has delved into crucial issues such as economic reform, energy sector deregulation, corporate governance, and developmental matters.

Engr. Mansur Ahmed's journey is a testament to the power of determination and dedication, inspiring the manufacturing industry to reach new heights. As he leads MAN into the future, his vision promises to forge a path of innovation, prosperity, and growth for Nigeria.

Prof. Dr. Mohammed Soliman

President of the Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) in Egypt

Meet Dr. Mohamed Soliman, the dynamic President of the Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) in Egypt. With a PhD in Plant Breeding from Cairo University in conjunction with the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his current role.

Prior to becoming President, Dr. Soliman served as the Vice President for Research at the Agricultural Research Centre from 2017 to 2018. He also held the esteemed position of Director at the Field Crops Research Institute in ARC from 2013 to 2017.

Dr. Soliman's influence extends beyond his country's borders, as he was the Head of the Egyptian Delegation for the establishment of Joint Farms in several African countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mali, Congo DRC, Tanzania, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Niger.

Passionate about food security, Dr. Soliman is an active member of the National Committee for Food Security in the Arab World and the Advisory Council for Preparation and Formulation of Proposed Policies for Achieving Food Security.

His commitment to agricultural research is evident through his involvement in various boards and leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Egyptian Permanent Committee for Olive and the Permanent Advisory Council on Plant Breeders' Rights in Egypt.

As a prolific researcher, Dr. Soliman has published 37 scientific research papers both locally and internationally. His groundbreaking work has earned him numerous scientific awards and Certificates of Appreciation from esteemed organizations such as FAO, ICARDA, the Academy of Scientific Research & Technology (Egypt), Ministry of Home Affairs (Republic of Zambia), Natural Resources Institute (Finland), Agency for International Development (USA), AlAzhar University (Egypt), African Development Bank Group, and African Development Institute.

Furthermore, Dr. Soliman is the National Coordinator of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation for Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), showcasing his dedication to fostering collaborations that drive progress in agriculture and food security.

H.E Ambassador Muhammad Makarfi

Nigeria's Ambassador to Brazil

Meet Prof. Muhammed Makarfi, Nigeria's Ambitious Academic Diplomat!
"From the vast plains of Makarfi, Kaduna State, emerges a visionary figure with a passion for economics and agriculture."

Education:
B.Sc (Agric) ABU; M.Sc (Agric Econs) ABU; M.Sc (Banking Finance) BUK; Ph.D (Agric Econs) ABU.

Area of Expertise:
- Agricultural Finance Policy
- Agricultural Production & Agribusiness Management
- Microfinance Banking Consultant

Professional Affiliations:
FSPSP; Member Chartered Institute Bankers; MNIM (Member NIg In Management); Fellow Society of Peace Studies & Practices.

"An intellect with an impressive array of academic achievements, Prof. Makarfi is a trailblazer in the fields of Agricultural Economics and Finance."

Embarking on a Diplomatic Journey:
Appointed as Nigeria's Ambassador to Brazil by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2020, Prof. Makarfi represents the heart and soul of Nigerian intellect on the international stage. With Letters of Credence presented to the President of Brazil, His Excellency Jair Bolsonaro, in October 2021, he embraced his new role with fervor and dedication.

Academic & Research Contributions:
As a Research Fellow at the Institute of Agricultural Research (I.A.R), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Makarfi delved into economics, cereal production, irrigation development, and rural socio-economic aspects in Nigeria. His prolific writing includes numerous publications in esteemed international and local journals, as well as commissioned technical reports. Agribusiness Management, Agriculture Finance Policy, Production Economics, and Environmental Finance are the realms of his academic passion.

Stepping Beyond Academia:
Beyond the ivory towers, Ambassador Makarfi's journey encompasses a vast range of managerial experiences in banking and finance with both national and international commercial banks. His association with Bayero University Microfinance Bank (BUMFB) and the Federal University of Dutse Microfinance Bank exemplifies his commitment to financial growth and development.

"A multifaceted personality, Prof. Makarfi's involvement in political activities showcases his dedication to the progress and prosperity of Nigeria."

A Visionary Leader:
An advocate for institutional development and collaborative leadership, Prof. Makarfi is well-versed in negotiation and conflict resolution. Amidst his professional engagements, he finds joy in a harmonious family life, being a devoted husband and father.

"In the vibrant tapestry of Nigeria's diplomatic and intellectual landscape, Prof. Muhammed Makarfi shines as a beacon of excellence and a bridge of friendship between nations."

Dr. Mustapha A. Popoola

Converner S2B Nigeria

Dr. Mustapha Ayo Popoola is an experienced professional with over 2 decades of cross-cutting experience in both the public and private sectors, both in Nigeria and internationally. He specializes in project management, workplace team diversity, research for development, innovation, and knowledge enterprise. Driven by data-backed facts and evidence synthesis, he is dedicated to making an impact and contributing to sustainable development for organizations and communities.

Positions Held:
- Chairman, Monitoring & evaluation Committee, Delta 2 Project (Nigeria-Czech Republic), Presidential Implementation committee on Technology Transfer under The Presidency. December 2022 till date
- Country Manager, NASENI SPENN Limited, January 2023 till date
- National Project Manager, Nigeria Covid-19 Research coalition. March 2020 till date
(And a list of other Positions held)

Professional Affiliation:
- Commonwealth University & London Graduate School, Honorary Doctorate in Project Management. 2022
- Northern Youth Council of Nigeria. Ahmadu Bello Sardauna Sokoto Platinum Leadership Award/ Icon & Cynosure of Nation Building. 2022
(And a list of other professional affiliations)

Institutional Affiliation:
2023 - Founder/ Executive Director, Research for impact, knowledge Economy & sustainable Development (RIKE-SD).
2022 - Special Assistant to the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, National Agency for Science and Engineering infrastructure(NASENI), Abuja, Nigeria. www.naseni.gov.ng
(And a list of other institutional affiliations)