A young Nigerian economist is gaining international attention for groundbreaking research that is reshaping global discussions on pesticide use, agricultural sustainability, and cocoa farming policy.

Lawrence Oluwagbenga Oyenpemi, a doctoral researcher in Economics at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), USA, has emerged as a thought leader in agricultural policy with his original work on the effects of pesticide use in Nigeria’s cocoa sector. His research, which employs advanced econometric techniques, has been widely cited in academic and development policy circles across Africa, Europe, and North America. Oyenpemi’s study, recently published in the international journal Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, applied an Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) model to evaluate how the use of unapproved pesticides affects both farmer welfare and consumer safety. Focusing on cocoa-producing communities in Osun State, the work is hailed as one of its kind in West Africa to link pesticide misuse directly with economic loss and health risks in a rigorous empirical framework.

“Many farmers unintentionally apply banned chemicals, unaware of the long-term impact on exports, public health, and their own profits,” said Oyenpemi, speaking from Tennessee. “This study quantifies those effects and provides evidence-based policy solutions.”

His recommendations — including a national pesticide control framework, improved agricultural training, and safer chemical alternatives — have been referenced by international NGOs and policy researchers in Europe and the United States.

Academic Record and Global Engagement
Oyenpemi is a First-Class graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), where he was named the best graduating student in the faculty of Agriculture. He earned a master’s degree with distinction and later obtained a Master of Arts in Economics from MTSU, where he was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the U.S. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in internationally recognized journals and serves as a peer reviewer for multidisciplinary journal with a global reach. Oyenpemi has presented his work at major international conferences, including the International Farm Management Association (IFMA) Congress forums, where global policy and academic thought leaders converge.
Connecting Nigeria and the United States

While Oyenpemi’s early research focused on the Nigerian agricultural landscape, his ongoing project explores agricultural supply chain inefficiencies in the United States and proposes sustainable policy interventions to improve food affordability and reduce waste.

“Whether you are dealing with cocoa farmers in Nigeria or food producers in the U.S., the challenges of inefficiency, regulation, and sustainability are connected,” he said. “My research is aimed at creating actionable solutions across borders.”

Rising Influence in Agricultural Economics
Oyenpemi’s rapid rise in the global academic arena underscores the increasing relevance of African scholars in solving global problems. His work stands as evidence of original scientific contributions of major significance — a rare distinction for young scholars on the international stage. He now joins a growing list of Nigerian academics abroad making strides in research excellence, policy development, and institutional transformation.