From developing eco-friendly smoking technology to preserving food using traditional methods, Dr Ayojesutomi Abiodun-Solanke is on a mission to make food safer and last longer. As a lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology in Lagos, she’s shaping the next generation of food scientists while driving innovation in food preservation. Her passion for impact goes beyond the lab. A dedicated volunteer, she’s climbed the ranks in global organisations, from African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) and Nigerian Women in Agricultural Research and Development (NiWARD) to the African Continental Association of Food Protection (ACAFP) of the International Association of Food Protection, where she plays a key role in strengthening Africa’s voice in food safety.

In the interview with AgroCentric’s Features Editor, Olamide Salau, she shares her journey in fisheries, the challenges women in the Agric space face in balancing career and family, and how integrating traditional preservation methods with modern technology can drive food sustainability in Africa.

How did you venture into agriculture? Can you give us details about how you started?

My name is Dr. Ayojesutomi Abiodun-Solanke.  I’m an academic and a researcher, and my area of focus is food safety and utilisation. I’m particularly interested in smoking technology and the use of traditional preservatives to extend the shelf life of food products. I’m also into developing environmentally friendly energy source materials for smoking, and I build capacity in these areas. Currently, I am a lecturer and researcher at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island, Lagos.

I developed an interest in agriculture from a very young age. However, during primary school, I didn’t have the opportunity to choose what I wanted to become. It wasn’t until secondary school, in SS2, that we received guidance and counselling regarding our career choices, especially for those in the science class. I attended Federal Government Girls College Akure. I discovered that 40 out of 45 people chose either medicine or pharmacy. When it came time for me to choose, I wondered why so many others were selecting medicine and pharmacy. I decided to read more about these fields, even though I was already familiar with them.  I learned that medical doctors treat people who are ill. This piqued my curiosity, and I wondered what could cause someone to become sick. I realised that if people eat the right foods in the right quantities at the right times, get proper rest, and care for themselves, they may not have to visit the hospital. 

That got me curious. While many people were pursuing degrees in medicine and pharmacy, I chose to study food science and technology. When I took my first JAMB exam, I could not gain admission into a university, so instead of waiting, I enrolled in a polytechnic. I am forever grateful for that decision because it was there that I developed my technical skills in my chosen field. I studied Food Science at the Federal State Polytechnic in Ado-Ekiti, where I completed a two-year course to earn my Ordinary National Diploma (OND). After that, I took the direct entry route to the Federal University of Technology in Ado-Ekiti (FUTA) to continue my education. Following my graduation, I pursued a master’s degree in food technology at the University of Ibadan. After completing my master’s, I moved to Lagos due to my marriage. Fortunately, I secured a lecturing position at my current institution, the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology. This opportunity allowed me to explore fisheries further, as fish is also a food, making it relevant to food science and technology. For my PhD, I focused on fish processing, value addition, fish product development, and utilisation. 

You were into food science and technology, right? Then, you transitioned to marine biology. Was there a specific reason that influenced this decision?

While at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, I realised that I would always be connected to someone I know. There were doubts about my ability to supervise students in the fisheries department due to my lack of a fisheries background. This motivated me to take on the challenge. Who says I can’t succeed in the fisheries field? That determination led me to choose fish as my area of focus for my PhD. Although it took me longer to complete my studies, I received a PhD-level grade during my MSc, meaning I could have started my PhD immediately. However, I decided to take a step back. I even enrolled in some undergraduate courses in fisheries to build a solid foundation before diving into my project. Today, I am very happy with that choice. Despite the extra years and stress it added, I am confident in my knowledge. There isn’t an aspect of fisheries that I can’t address meaningfully. 

What challenges have you faced from when you started to where you are now?

I have faced many challenges, but one of the most significant has been balancing my career, family responsibilities, church commitments, and other extracurricular activities. At one point, I realised that at my workplace, obtaining a PhD is essential to advance to the next level. Unfortunately, I spent almost eight or nine years in a position originally meant to last three years. Why did I do that? When I first moved to Lagos, I started this job as a newly married woman, and that was also the year I became a mother. I decided to put my PhD on hold for several years, consciously delaying it at such a young age. 

Having earned my MSc, which helped me secure employment, I took about six to eight years off from pursuing my PhD. This decision delayed my career; had I not paused, I would have been promoted on time and potentially advanced further in my profession. However, I feel content with the choice I made. Many challenges confronted me while pursuing my studies. For instance, I won a fellowship from the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, which offered opportunities to gain experience abroad. Even though I could pursue my PhD outside Nigeria, I had to consider my young family. Could I take my children with me? If so, I must manage various arrangements to secure funding. Ultimately, I decided to focus on completing my PhD in Nigeria, even though I knew it would take longer. Thanks to my resilience, networking, and mentorship, I obtained my PhD, and now I can move forward in my career. Those early years were very challenging, but I was fortunate to have a supportive family, husband, and children. Without their support, it would have been much harder. I am grateful for where I am now, and that was the major challenge I faced in my career in the field of agriculture. 

Do you think that it’s because you are a woman that you experience some of the challenges you have had to experience in your growth?

Of course. I had several male colleagues employed around the same time as I was. Many of them just continued with their work without any interruptions. They don’t have to deal with the physical demands of pregnancy, so nothing holds them back. In fact, I’ve seen some of my friends who had unsupportive husbands struggle with their careers, and for some, that led to the end of their ambitions. Many women registered for PhD programs at the University of Ibadan, but nearly 70% of them dropped out because they couldn’t keep up with the demands. These are some of the challenges that women face in the workplace. Taking maternity leave and managing multiple responsibilities can slow down progress. If you want to juggle everything at once, you might eventually have to prioritise one thing over another. I’m grateful that I can share my perspective without bias. It’s evident that there are numerous opportunities specifically aimed at women in the profession. For instance, the African Women’s Agricultural Research and Development Fellowship is exclusively for women. This is because there is an understanding that women face unique challenges that can limit their progress. There are also several other programs designed specifically to support women, which reflects a growing recognition and effort to encourage female participation in various fields.

What other barriers do women in agriculture face besides the family dynamics attached to it?

Many women also face some challenges based on some reproductive roles that have been attached to them. I work majorly with women because I’m into fish value addition fish processing, and you discover that in Nigeria, almost 80% of the players in that sector are women. So one thing I’ve discovered is because of the reproductive roles that they’ve kind they’ve attached to women, many of those women dare not even leave their fishing communities. For example, I work with fisher folks in various communities. It’s over that every time they are limited, anything they can do has to do with things they can do within that space. They can’t move out. If you invite them for programs, it’s only the few that maybe they’ve grown a bit; their children are of age. Those are the ones that you will see in all your programs outside.

Biases often lead to the belief that women must handle family responsibilities, which can restrict their opportunities. For instance, I chose to pursue a PhD in Nigeria instead of abroad to better understand local challenges. Unlike their male counterparts, women frequently face societal pressures that make them hesitant to pursue specific opportunities at work. While it requires hard work and perseverance to overcome these challenges, women need to continue striving for their goals, even at their own pace. 

Aside from you women internally motivating themselves, how can this be addressed? 

Thank you. These issues are gradually being addressed. Awareness is improving, and there’s now deliberate consideration for women in executive roles; some positions even require female representation. Advocacy continues to push for policies that create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for women. That said, women must also support themselves. Mentorship played a key role in my journey; I learned early that one of the fastest ways to grow is by learning from others’ experiences. Mentors offer guidance on navigating challenges and making informed decisions at different career stages. Raising awareness is crucial. Acknowledging challenges rather than trying to be a “superwoman” allows for real change. By learning from successful women in similar fields and developing key internal strengths, progress becomes more achievable.

You mentioned mentorship. How do you mentor and support women in your space at the moment?

One of the greatest blessings in my career has been winning the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Fellowship. This two-year program is structured to foster mentorship; during the first year, fellows are paired with mentors, and in the second year, they must mentor someone else. A key part of the fellowship is the role-modelling activity, where fellows engage with young girls, either in schools or within their institutions. I chose to conduct the event at my institution. For the first role modelling event I organised, I managed to gather over 70 young scientists, including my former mentor from the AWARD fellowship. This experience exposed me to many talented individuals. 

One approach I take is to encourage those I mentor also to become mentors themselves. After mentoring them for a period, I specifically tell them to mentor others. While not all of them follow through, I’m pleased to say that more than 50% do. I’ve even become acquainted with some of their mentees, creating a mentoring chain. If I learn about opportunities I cannot pursue, I can inform someone close to me in the network and ask them to take advantage of it. This has proven incredibly impactful, as many of them have secured opportunities and responsibilities for which they are truly grateful. They recognise that these achievements directly result from the mentorship they received. Thank you.

How do you think your work has contributed to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria and Africa?

I’ve focused on improving fish processing techniques and smoking technology to ensure food safety and sustainability in Nigeria. My interest in traditional preservatives, plant materials, and the energy sources I’m developing, has driven much of my work. While there have been many improvements, I’ve noticed that women in rural communities hesitate to adopt new technologies. Many of these women have relied on traditional methods passed down for generations, so introducing something completely new often meets resistance. During an outreach program, we introduced improved technologies to women through the West African Agricultural Productivity Program, but many abandoned the new methods once we left. When I spoke with them, I learned they trusted their indigenous knowledge and were only open to technology that closely resembled what they already used. This is why I focus on blending traditional methods with new technologies. I believe that local resources can offer sustainable solutions for healthy living without relying on external sources.

The key focus for me has always been capacity building. As a scientist, I have access to facilities and equipment that allow me to adapt technology to fit Nigeria’s needs. I’ve mainly focused on helping women, and in 2023, we received a grant to develop a drum-like smoking kiln. During our visits to local communities, we found that many women used improvised kilns, often cutting drums and adding wire mesh to smoke fish. Understanding their familiarity with this setup, we designed a similar drum-based kiln, which was well-received. Now, many of these women are using it and even sharing it with others. In developing environmentally friendly materials and energy sources, I discovered a major issue with firewood, particularly softwood, which contains carcinogenic substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These substances have been linked to an increase in cancer rates, though many people are unaware of the connection between food processing methods and these diseases.

When I realised this, I began to discourage the use of firewood and shifted towards charcoal. However, we found that in places like Enugu, the availability of free charcoal had decreased, leading people to cut down trees for charcoal production. While charcoal production eliminates some harmful substances due to anaerobic combustion, this practice still negatively impacts the environment and contributes to climate change. This led me to explore alternative solutions, which resulted in the development of briquettes. Made from agricultural waste such as coconut husks, rice bran, and corncobs, briquettes are an eco-friendly alternative to charcoal. By grinding, drying, and adding binding agents, these materials are processed into briquettes that can be used in cooking. I advocate for the use of these briquettes, particularly with a specially designed smoking kiln, and have worked to raise awareness among women in the community. I emphasised that while firewood provides a pleasant flavour, it poses health risks, especially as cancer awareness increases. By adopting safer practices, women can sell healthier products, leading to greater profits.

Some women have embraced this change and discovered that their products are in high demand, particularly from educated consumers and international buyers. Exporters, aware of health standards, will only purchase food that passes rigorous testing. This means that by producing high-quality, safe food, these women can access foreign markets and earn foreign exchange. While the shift has been slow, those who have embraced this change are now advocates, spreading the message to others. With time, this small group will grow into a larger movement, helping to improve livelihoods and contribute to community development.

Regarding current impact, would you say your work has reduced or increased health awareness among the farmers? 

The impact has been significant. Health awareness among farmers and processors has increased, and many are now motivated by the potential to earn more. I remember attending the International Institute of Fisheries Economics & Trade (IIFET) conference in Abadin, Scotland 2016. There, I presented research I conducted as a fish processor and fisheries expert. I had noticed a report claiming that catfish contains “bad fat” and discouraging people from eating it. This prompted me to study catfish nutritionally. I discovered that, while some catfish may have unhealthy fat due to poor feeding practices, those raised in proper conditions showed no such issues.

I tested different catfish raised in earthen ponds, concrete, and plastic tanks and found that they did not contain the “bad fat” as claimed. I presented this research at the conference, where one scientist shared that smoked catfish had helped her avoid a heart attack, further validating my findings. This feedback was eye-opening for the audience and sparked interest in my research. While profit maximisation is a major driver for farmers and processors, my work also highlights the health benefits of these products and offers valuable insights at international platforms. Moreover, I’ve highlighted the dangers of using firewood for smoking fish. By promoting sustainable energy sources and reducing deforestation, we contribute to reducing carbon footprints and mitigating climate change. Small actions can create ripple effects, and though the impact may seem small now, it can snowball into something much larger over time.

How did you feel when someone you know mentioned at the conference that your work and research were publicly acknowledged?  

I felt proud then, and I still feel proud now. I continue to stay in contact with that person, who has also introduced me to others who have been helpful. As African researchers, we often feel undervalued and believe we are at the lowest level. We lack proper facilities, and sometimes, when we submit our papers to certain journals, we receive harsh feedback that suggests our work is not significant enough for publication. 

What are stakeholders or key figures in the agricultural sector currently doing to address the challenge of increasing technological access for researchers? Are there active efforts being made to tackle this issue? 

Things are improving, and knowledge is increasing across various sectors, especially in Africa. Despite the challenges faced by women, governments are making efforts, even though the impact may take time to show. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed something remarkable: while many developed countries experienced higher death rates, Africa’s mortality rate was surprisingly low. This raised questions about the resilience and hidden advantages within African communities.

A key reason for Africa’s better handling of the crisis could be the traditional knowledge of using natural resources like ginger, garlic, and orange peel, common items with antimicrobial properties that many people overlooked. My research focuses on these traditional preservatives, exploring how they can be standardised for modern use. Standardisation is crucial because, without proper dosage, these remedies can be harmful. While technology from developed countries is advanced, it’s not always adaptable or affordable for Africa. We need to focus on our local resources—things we already have and often discard. For instance, orange peel, often considered waste, can be a valuable resource for preservation. The challenge is to develop simple, standardised processes that can be quickly adopted by local women, who play a significant role in food security. My research looks at practical methods, such as using whole orange peel without extracting its active ingredients, to make it accessible to local communities. The results may not be as perfect as industrial methods, but they are effective, sustainable, and empowering for the people who need them most.

Regarding policy, we need to focus on promoting indigenous materials and technologies. We can’t always match the high-tech solutions of the West, but we can leverage what’s available to us and make it work. By adopting and improving traditional methods, we can help local communities, especially women, contribute more to food security and reduce the time it takes to achieve sustainable progress in agriculture.

Aside from your passion for the fishery, what other innovative agricultural practices excite you? What other aspects of agriculture are you interested in? 

I’m really excited about the progress I’ve seen in the field, particularly regarding fresh fruit juices. I was once involved in this space in Lagos, where we offered freshly made fruit juices without preservatives. However, issues like improper storage temperatures led to problems like fermentation, which made me explore traditional preservatives to improve shelf life. Chemical preservatives, as we know, have health risks, and I believe traditional methods can provide a safer alternative. 

Food safety challenges aside, there’s also a broader issue in Nigeria with post-harvest losses despite innovations in food production. For example, I’ve experienced firsthand how proper seed selection can lead to better-quality produce, such as tomatoes, that can last for weeks before spoiling. Collaboration is key in tackling these challenges, and there’s been a noticeable improvement in logistics, especially after COVID-19. In some rural communities where fish used to be discarded due to limited processing facilities, the logistics boom has enabled people to transport and sell fish instead of wasting it. This innovation has also allowed small businesses to thrive with minimal capital investment.

What trend do you think will shape the future of agriculture in Africa in the coming years? 

The future of agriculture in Nigeria depends on all of us. It’s not just leaving and seeking opportunities elsewhere; it’s about building capacity in our fields. A key step is identifying the problems around us and working to solve them. The opportunities are endless if you can specify a problem, build the skills to solve it, and return to provide solutions.

Additionally, we need to stop underestimating the value of our local resources. Let’s standardise these materials and processes to compete globally without being seen as substandard. Technology can improve these, making them accessible to everyone. Initially, new technology can be expensive, but over time, it becomes cheaper and more available, leading to a shift in the industry.

Another crucial aspect is increasing participation in agriculture. It’s not just about farming; numerous ways exist to invest and collaborate. For example, by partnering with the diaspora, we can access expertise and methodologies, allowing us to leverage local and global resources for better outcomes. This collaboration strengthens our agricultural future. Networking is also vital. At the African Transdisciplinary Network, we believe that solving agricultural problems requires a combination of disciplines. It’s not enough to focus only on science; we need input from social sciences, humanities, and other fields. Understanding the economic, environmental, and social factors is key to creating sustainable solutions.

Lastly, communication is essential. We need to tell our own story. Too often, our research sits on shelves, undiscovered. We must learn how to communicate our findings effectively, ensuring they reach those who benefit from them. Only then can we create meaningful change and drive progress in agriculture.

What advice would you give to young people, especially women, who want to join the agricultural sector? What one or two key pieces of advice could you share with them? 

First, seek mentorship. There’s always someone ahead of you; learn from their experiences so you don’t have to go through all the struggles yourself. Second, resilience and hard work are key. No one succeeds without putting in effort. Despite the quick-results mindset of today’s Gen Z, it’s important to understand that success requires perseverance. You must develop problem-solving skills by identifying problems first. 

Also, focus on building soft skills like communication and adaptability. These skills are crucial in agriculture or any field. Stay curious, stay aware of your surroundings, and be involved. As a scientist, I always seek knowledge and information. Collaboration is another essential aspect. Work with others and build relationships. “Two are better than one,” so learn to work as a team. Good interpersonal skills are crucial for collaboration and mentorship. Lastly, remember that nothing comes easy. Many mentees expect things to be handed to them, but you must try to gain knowledge and grow. Being diligent and resilient is essential; always have faith in God’s grace. Challenges will become easier to overcome with hard work, perseverance, and faith.

Thank you for your time and for recognising the AgroCentric platform. We hope to continually share the success stories of individuals in agriculture who are often overlooked.

Thank you. When I saw that message, I was so very excited. I encourage you to continue because everybody now knows that one of the major problems in Africa is that Africans don’t tell their stories. We tend to focus only on negative narratives. It’s important for us also to share our positive stories and successes. This is one effective way to do that.