Farmer, Nigeria and Regional Lead Africa at Global Farmer Network

Onyaole Patience Koku is the Regional Lead for Africa at the Global Farmer Network (GFN), where she amplifies the voices of African farmers on global platforms and drives peer-to-peer learning, innovation adoption and strategic partnerships to enhance food security across the continent.

She also serves as the Executive Director of Niger Foods Security Systems & Logistics Company Ltd (Niger Foods), a pioneering public–private partnership in Nigeria dedicated to transforming agriculture through mechanization, seed multiplication, irrigation and integrated value-chain development. Under her leadership, Niger Foods is implementing large-scale programs in rice, maize, soybeans and sesame, while developing inclusive models that connect smallholder farmers to premium markets and improve resilience through climate-smart practices such as no-till farming and drought-tolerant seeds.

In addition, Patience is a Director of One Hectare One Family Ltd., a company committed to equipping farming families with improved seeds, mechanization and biological inputs.

She also serves on multiple boards, including One Hectare One Family and the Alliance for Science, where she contributes expertise in governance, advocacy and sustainable food systems. A frequent speaker at international forums, Patience is passionate about empowering women and youth in agriculture and advancing resilient African food systems.