By Sulaimon Olanrewaju
Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a man of no mean achievements. An experienced and exposed leader, he reached his country’s political pinnacle at the young age of 32, becoming the military head of state after a coup d’état. However, his tenure lasted only 74 days, from January 16 to March 29, 1996, before he voluntarily relinquished power to a democratically elected government. Upon retiring from the Sierra Leonean Army as a Brigadier in 1996, he relocated to the United States, where he earned a master’s degree in International Affairs from American University in Washington, DC. After completing his studies, he ventured into business and later served as President of International Systems Science Corporation, a consulting and investment management firm.
Bio later moved to the United Kingdom, where he was appointed as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bradford and enrolled in a doctoral programme in Peace Studies. He joined the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in 2005, became its presidential candidate in 2012, and contested the election but lost to then-incumbent President Ernest Bai Koroma of the All People’s Congress (APC). Undeterred, he ran again in 2018 and won with 51.8% of the votes, defeating Samura Kamara of the ruling party. He secured a second term in 2023 with 56% of the votes.
A man of conviction, Dr. Bio became the first Sierra Leonean president to introduce free education for primary and secondary school students in public schools through an executive order in 2018. He has also championed food sufficiency, agricultural productivity, and self-reliance through the Feed Salone programme. A highly respected leader, Dr. Bio served as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in August 2024.
Dr. Bio’s Visit to Oyo State
Recently, President Bio visited Oyo State, where he was warmly received by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde and top government officials. During his visit, he engaged with state government officials, researchers, academics, development partners, and investors to gather support for his Feed Salone program. One of the highlights of his trip was his visit to the Fasola Agriculture Industrial Hub. He was so impressed by the hub’s integration of agriculture, science, technology, commerce, and industrialization that he took time to interact with investors, whom he later invited to Sierra Leone for further discussions.
Before his visit to Fasola, President Bio participated in a high-level panel discussion featuring Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State. The discussion revolved around agricultural development, with each governor sharing their experiences.
Governor Makinde emphasized that his first term focused on constructing roads linking all geopolitical zones in Oyo State, particularly connecting agricultural production centers with consumption hubs. Other governors also shared their interventions in their respective states.
President Bio commended Makinde for this approach, recalling a lesson he learned from Chinese President Xi Jinping. He narrated, “I was in China to see President Xi Jinping, and I asked how he managed to feed 1.4 billion people when smaller countries struggled with food sufficiency. His response surprised me: ‘Build the roads.’ He explained that connecting production centers to consumption centers facilitates food distribution, benefits farmers, and ensures food security. What I traveled to China to learn, Governor Makinde is already practicing.”
Makinde’s World-Class Leadership
World-class leaders are characterized by elevated thoughts, innovation, and value creation, with courage as their defining trait. They think beyond conventional solutions, implementing strategies that yield long-term benefits. They are not deterred by opposition but remain committed to their vision.
Governor Makinde exemplifies these qualities. Instead of following the failed agricultural policies of his predecessors—who invested heavily in tractors that eventually disappeared without benefiting farmers—he introduced a new strategy. His administration encouraged private sector investment in tractor acquisition, with the government subsidizing 50% of hiring costs for farmers. To ensure accountability, a digital booking system was implemented, enabling the Ministry of Agriculture to monitor tractor usage and farmland coverage.
This initiative has removed a significant barrier to farmers’ productivity. With affordable tractor access, farmers can clear more land, plant more crops, and boost agricultural output. As a result, tractor rental businesses have flourished, while the government avoids the wastefulness of previous administrations.
Mr. Abass Adewunmi, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (Oyo State branch), hailed the initiative as a game-changer, leading to increased crop production and lower food prices. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) supported this claim, reporting that Oyo State had one of the lowest food inflation rates in Nigeria in its February 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report.
Makinde’s Transformational Impact
Governor Makinde’s reforms have had a butterfly effect, triggering positive changes across multiple sectors. His administration has focused on:
Education
Healthcare
Social security
Food security
Employment generation
Infrastructure development
Revenue generation
Urban and rural development
Gender equity
His accomplishments have received widespread acclaim. Former President Muhammadu Buhari commended his anti-COVID-19 strategy, while former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo praised his infrastructure projects. The Committee of Nigeria’s Retired Inspectors General of Police lauded his efforts in security, and Vice President Kashim Shettima acknowledged his commitment to Oyo State’s development. Representatives from 16 states visited Oyo to study Fasola Industrial Hub, while the African Development Bank (AfDB) designated it as Nigeria’s first Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ).
For Governor Makinde, value creation is a culture, and public adulation is simply a reflection of his dedication to excellence.
▪︎Dr. Olanrewaju is the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor
