Onoja, Anthony Ojonimi
Anthony Ojonimi Onoja, is a Full Professor of Agricultural Economics (Resource and Environmental Economist) at University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Professor Extraordinarius at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa. He is the current Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Development, University of Port Harcourt. He is an Associate Research Fellow at Resource and Environmental Policy Research Centre (REPRC), University of Nigeria Nsukka. He obtained a PhD in Agricultural Economics (Resource and Environmental Economics option) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2015. He is currently the President, Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet: http://www.aprnetworkng.org) and an Executive Board Member (West African Regional Representative) of the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE). He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Natural Resource Environment and Sustainable Development (INRES) and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Marine and Pollution Studies (CEMPOS) both at University of Port Harcourt. He was a Visiting Research Scholar at University of South Africa, Johannesburg from May-August 2018.
Research interest
He has been involved in field research (both qualitative and quantitative) for over 23 years now. He is an expert in climate change studies especially Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and vulnerability to climate change assessments, agricultural policy analysis, trade/macroeconomic policy, applied econometrics, sustainable agricultural livelihoods/green economy, clean energy as well as agribusiness finance/project appraisals/evaluation. He is conversant with the use of econometric and statistical software such as EViews, Frontier 4.1C, STATA, SPSS, MS Excel, Limpdep, R, Genstat, etc. and others GIS software such as Q GIS and DSSAT fairly.
Mentoring (PhD students and masters)
He has supervised four (4) PhD students, and three 3 MSc. students successfully. He also participated in external assessments for promotion at University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi. He is currently a formal Mentor to AWARDS (African Women in Agriculture, Research & Development Studies) in collaboration with ICWAE and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in its ongoing mentoring programme in Nairobi, Kenya.
Grants and consultancy
He had consulted for USAID, Global Development Network, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), GTZ, World Bank/FMARD , Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), SIDA & AGRIFOSE2030/University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Policy engagement
Prof. A. O. Onoja is highly experienced in facilitating stakeholders meetings, workshops and seminars for policy making at national levels and has led several research teams including the recent research team to draft the Fishery and Aquaculture Policy for Nigeria, under the auspices of IFPRI and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. He also participated in training government officials in Natural Capital Accounting organized by EfD-Nigeria Centre for the Ministry of Environment.
International / national recognition (editorial or advisory boards, awards, etc.)
Apart from the recent appointment as Professor Extraordinarius, College of Agriculture and Environment at University of South Africa with effect from February 2023, he has received several awards in the past. He serves on the editorial boards of five reputable journals including Nigerian Agricultural Policy Research Journal, (NAPReJ), Agricultural Economics and Extension Studies (AGEERS), Journal of Agripreneurship and Sustainable Development (JASD); Open Access Journal of Agricultural Research (OJAR), and African Journal of Agricultural Technology and Environment (AJATE). A certified reviewer of various Journals, for outstanding contribution to research and development at University of Port Harcourt. In 2017 he was named City Law Review (CTLR) Researcher of the Year by an Abuja based Magazine with bias for public policy and law. In December, 2022 he received the award for Inspirational Leadership in recognition of professional leadership and motivation by Prof. Walter Ollor Foundation in Port Harcourt. He is a member of International Association of Agricultural Economists, IAAE, African Association of Agricultural Economists, AAAE, Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists, NAAE and Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet). Agriculture, Nutrition & Health (ANH) Academy and African Association of Resource and Environmental Economists (AFAERE).
A certified reviewer of various Journals, Prof . Onoja had twice won awards for meaning contributions