It is obvious that youths are beginning to take over some major businesses in Nigeria. They have proven that they have what it takes to be a good leader and an entrepreneur.
A 35-year-old man identified as Rotimi Williams is not just ambitious but enterprising. The young man has been reported to be the owner of the second largest rice farm in Nigeria. The land is reportedly sitting on 45,000 hectares of land.
According to Forbes, Williams who was once a journalist has employed over 600 people in Nasarawa to work on his farmland. This young man gathered all his farming skills using Google.
35-year-old Rotimi Williams
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When asked about his background, Williams said: “I attended King’s College in Lagos. After attending secondary school at King’s College I proceeded to obtain my first degree at University of Aberdeen where I graduated with a degree in Economics. I also obtained a Master’s Degree in Economics from the same institution. My quest for more knowledge led me to enroll for yet another Master’s Degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London where I gained an MSc. in Finance and Development Studies. Upon graduation, I landed a role as an analyst at the European Economics and Financial Centre in London. Afterwards, Euromoney Magazine employed me and there I covered the African space.”
About how he acquired his hectares of land, Willaims revealed that he did not start up on his own but became a part owner of about 17,296 hectares of farmland where he agreed to share the profits made from the farm produce.
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He said: “Two years had passed and we still had no funds, so I made an offer to the farm owner, that with a 50-50 split, I would develop the farm with both personal funds and external funding. He agreed and that's how I became part owner of 17,296 hectares of farmland. Knowing that agriculture would become the integral area of focus in Nigeria, I was bullish and ramped up the land to 55,000 hectares. I later parted with my partner as a result of unaligned views and strategy. I maintained 45,000 hectares for myself and today we have started producing, with our quality paddy being sold to major milling companies in Nigeria. However, I must add the following, I often have people ask how I learned about farming, as everyone thinks you need a special degree in agriculture to be a farmer, but I always tell them the truth, I learnt it all on Google. I downloaded every article I could find on rice production, consumed it and then practiced it in the fields. Frankly, my experience working alongside indigenes [natives] of Nasarawa state has been exceptional. I have learnt over the years that if you approach people with respect even more so while one seeks to set up a business venture.”
Rotimi Williams in his rice farm
@ybnlnigeria also shared his picture of Twitter with the caption: “Meet The 37 Year-Old Entrepreneur Who Owns Nigeria's 2nd Largest Rice Farm. The former journalist and banker is the owner of the 45,000 hectares Kereksuk Rice Farm, the 2nd largest commercial rice farm in Nigeria.”
See their post below:
Meet 35-year-old entrepreneur Rotimi Williams who owns Nigeria's 2nd largest rice farm
Amazing!
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Source: Gossip.naija.ng