Defying the odds: Aare Gbenga Eyiolawi named among Nigeria’s top 50

In a year marked by severe economic contraction, soaring inflation, and unprecedented business challenges, The Guardian Newspaper has named Aare Gbenga Eyiolawi, Chairman of Titan Farms Nigeria and Food Hybrid Nigeria, among Nigeria’s Fifty Most Inspiring and Definitive Top CEOs for 2023 a recognition that places him among an elite group selected from over 5 million business leaders and approximately 300,000 agricultural entrepreneurs operating across the country.

The Guardian’s 2023 Annual CEO Series, published today, celebrates business leaders who defied Nigeria’s “biting economic downturn” to pilot their organizations to profitability through innovation, strategic acumen, and exceptional management of both human and material resources.

The selection carries particular weight given the scale of Nigeria’s business landscape and the severity of challenges faced in 2023. With the country’s GDP growth collapsing from 3.3 percent in 2022 to 2.4 percent in the first quarter of 2023, petrol subsidy removal sending costs spiraling, and foreign exchange reforms introducing crippling volatility, most CEOs fought simply to survive. The fifty leaders recognized by The Guardian not only survived, they thrived.

Recognition Letter Highlights Unprecedented Innovation

In its official recognition letter dated November 24, 2023, The Guardian specifically highlighted Eyiolawi’s unique contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural and food distribution sectors.

“Based on the available record of your professional expertise, strategic acumen, and demonstrated innovativeness, coupled with the remarkable accomplishments achieved under your leadership, Titan Farms Nigeria and Food Hybrid Nigeria have been recognized as among the better-managed and integrity-driven corporate organizations within Nigeria’s business sector,” the letter stated.

The publication particularly emphasized the revolutionary nature of his business model: “Your unique consignment model for food distribution, which has introduced operational efficiencies and expanded market access for agricultural products, has distinguished you as one of the highly exceptional managers of both human and material resources in the country’s agricultural and food distribution industries.”

This distinction is significant. Among Nigeria’s estimated 300,000 agricultural CEOs ranging from small-scale farm operators to large agribusiness conglomerates Eyiolawi stands as one of only fifty business leaders across all sectors deemed worthy of The Guardian’s 2023 recognition, and the only agricultural entrepreneur to have developed and scaled a technology-enabled consignment distribution platform.

An Extraordinary Year Demands Extraordinary Leadership

The Guardian’s recognition letter provided stark context for the achievement. “According to expert reports, the first part of 2023 in Nigeria witnessed a weakened economic development as the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth fell from 3.3% in 2022 to 2.4% in Q1 2023,” the letter noted. “Unfortunately, the challenging global economic context has further put more pressure on Nigeria’s hitherto fragile economy.”

The publication detailed how government reforms including petrol subsidy elimination and foreign exchange market changes while necessary, produced “negative implications which have decreased economic growth, increased inflation, poverty, crime, prices of essential commodities and loss of jobs in the informal sector.”

Added to these challenges were “lingering security issues across the country, labour agitations and looming shutdown, as well as political tensions emanating from the February 25, 2023 Presidential Elections which is still being disputed in court.”

Against this backdrop, The Guardian noted, “few alternatives” existed for business owners. Yet “some proactive and result-oriented Chief Executives have been able to inspire and navigate their organizations to optimal operational effectiveness, efficiency, and visibility.”

Eyiolawi’s companies not only maintained operations during this turbulence they expanded. Titan Farms and Food Hybrid increased employment, broadened distribution networks, enhanced market penetration, and sustained profitability while competitors contracted or ceased operations.

The Innovation That Set Him Apart

What distinguished Eyiolawi from millions of Nigerian business leaders was not merely survival but fundamental innovation in addressing structural challenges.

Traditional food distribution in Nigeria operates on a buy-and-sell model unchanged for generations. Distributors purchase products from farmers, pay upfront, hold inventory, mark up prices significantly, and sell to retailers. This model concentrates risk on distributors, creates adversarial relationships with producers and retailers, and contributes to the 30-40 percent post-harvest losses that plague Nigerian agriculture.

Food Hybrid’s consignment model eliminated these inefficiencies. Through the digital platform at www.foodhybrid.com, producers list products with wholesale prices, retailers place orders and receive consolidated deliveries, and when products sell, retailers pay producers directly while compensating Food Hybrid for distribution services. The company earns service fees rather than product markups, aligning incentives across the value chain.

This structural innovation the first and only consignment-based food distribution platform in Nigeria has generated measurable impact. Since 2020, Food Hybrid has reached over 800,000 households (approximately 3.2 million people), created more than 400 direct jobs, and facilitated over 65 million naira in monthly economic activity through documented partner referrals alone. Partner distributors report working capital reductions of 60-75 percent and profit margin improvements of 40-60 percent.
The 2021-2023 partnership with Osun State Government the first consignment-based distribution contract between any Nigerian state and a private agricultural company supplied food to 30,000 indigent families monthly, reaching approximately 360,000 families (1.8 million individuals) over the contract period.

One Among Millions

The mathematics of the recognition underscore its significance. Nigeria has an estimated 41 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Of these, approximately 5 million operate at scales requiring CEO-level leadership. Within the agricultural sector specifically, Nigeria has approximately 300,000 agricultural enterprises led by CEOs managing commercial operations beyond subsistence farming.

From this universe of business leaders, The Guardian selected fifty for 2023 recognition. Eyiolawi represents one of fifty from over 5 million business CEOs nationwide, and the only agricultural distribution CEO among the cohort to have developed technology-enabled consignment infrastructure.
“These exceptional business leaders deserve recognition for their out-of-the-box innovations, ingenious management practices, prudent management of resources, excellent and innovative solutions and ideas in achieving set goals and objectives, as well as enviable CSR interventions that have earned them awards within the country and beyond,” The Guardian stated. “Indeed, they deserve accolade in their efforts and contributions to the stability and growth of the nation’s economy.”

A Portfolio of Prior Recognition

Eyiolawi’s inclusion in The Guardian’s Top 50 builds on recognition from diverse institutions acknowledging his contributions to agricultural innovation and economic development.
The ECOWAS Youth Council awarded him the Nelson Mandela Leadership and Integrity Award in 2021 for contributions to youth empowerment across West Africa’s 16 nations and 196 million youth. The Olubadan of Ibadan conferred the chieftaincy title Aare Kebimapalu literally “Anti-Hunger Marshall” in recognition of his work on food security, a custom-created title reflecting the significance traditional authorities place on his contributions.

Lead City University named him Most Outstanding CEO of the Year in both 2021 and 2022, evaluating candidates on job creation, community development, and corporate social responsibility. The Royal African Young Leadership Forum, under the patronage of the Ooni of Ife, recognized his entrepreneurial leadership in 2021.

His participation as a paid speaker at the 2021 West Africa Business Forum organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa addressed barriers to youth economic participation and strategies for leveraging regional trade frameworks a platform indicating recognition at continental level.
Building Through Leadership Transitions

Eyiolawi’s journey to The Guardian’s Top 50 reflects both entrepreneurial vision and organizational maturity. He founded Titan Farms in 2020, introducing modern farming techniques and technology-enabled management to Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Within two years, the company achieved 8 percent market share in southwestern Nigeria’s rice market and built household name recognition across multiple states.

His transition from CEO to Board Chairman in December 2022 demonstrated understanding that scaling impact requires empowering executive teams while providing strategic oversight. This governance evolution challenging for many founder-CEOs positioned both Titan Farms and Food Hybrid for sustained growth beyond dependence on any single individual’s operational involvement.
The August 2024 Board resolution to incorporate Food Hybrid as a standalone entity reflected sophisticated thinking about corporate structure and value creation. Recognizing that the distribution business had developed distinct market positioning and growth trajectory separate from Titan Farms’ agricultural production, the Board authorized the spinoff, enabling specialized management focus and strategic flexibility for each entity.

Impact Beyond Financial Metrics

The Guardian’s recognition criteria extended beyond profitability to encompass social impact and stakeholder value creation. Eyiolawi’s companies demonstrate that business success and community development need not conflict.

The over 400 direct jobs created provide not just wages but skills transfer in agricultural production, food processing, logistics management, and business operations. The annual scholarship program supports 50 students from indigent families, keeping children in school who might otherwise join Nigeria’s 10 million out-of-school youth. Borehole installations in 10 communities serve approximately 2,000-3,000 residents daily with clean water access.

These interventions integrate with sustainable business models rather than depending on temporary philanthropy a distinction The Guardian highlighted in noting that recognized CEOs achieved “enviable CSR interventions” alongside commercial success.

Industry and Media Response

The recognition has generated discussion within Nigeria’s agricultural sector about innovation and business model transformation. Industry observers note that Eyiolawi’s consignment platform addresses structural inefficiencies that have persisted for decades, and that his success may inspire other entrepreneurs to challenge conventional approaches.

Media coverage has positioned the recognition as validation of entrepreneurial vision applied to solving real problems. His work demonstrates that Nigerian companies can develop globally competitive innovations addressing local challenges, deploy sophisticated technology infrastructure, and create stakeholder value while maintaining profitability.

The expansion to the United Kingdom through the Foodcore brand serving African and Caribbean food products to diaspora communities using the same consignment model provides further evidence of the approach’s viability across different markets and regulatory environments.

Looking Forward

In accepting The Guardian’s recognition, Eyiolawi emphasized continued commitment to transforming Nigeria’s food distribution landscape. Plans include expanding the recently launched Food Hybrid Hub the first technology-enabled central distribution and fulfillment center built specifically for consignment operations in Nigerian agricultural history—to additional regions, creating a nationwide network of distribution infrastructure.

“Our vision extends beyond building successful companies to demonstrating that innovative business models can address Nigeria’s food security challenges while creating economic opportunity,” Eyiolawi stated. “This recognition from The Guardian validates the approach and strengthens our resolve to scale impact.”

For The Guardian, the 2023 Top 50 CEOs represent “proactive and result-oriented Chief Executives” who “have been able to inspire and navigate their organizations to optimal operational effectiveness, efficiency, and visibility” despite “daunting challenges.”

For Nigeria’s business community, the recognition of leaders like Eyiolawi provides templates for resilient, innovative entrepreneurship that creates value beyond immediate shareholder returns.
And for the estimated 5 million business CEOs across Nigeria, the message is clear: exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, and commitment to stakeholder value can distinguish individuals even in the most crowded and competitive landscapes.

Aare Gbenga Eyiolawi one among millions, one among fifty.