In a powerful testament to the intersection of sports, agriculture, and leadership, the Brown Group Innovative Greenhouse Farm, owned by former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and FIFA Council Member, Amaju Pinnick, played host to an elite gathering of global leaders.
Among the distinguished guests were the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Wonie Bio; the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde; the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang; and the Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Simeon Ehui.
This high-profile visit follows in the footsteps of former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and several other dignitaries who have previously toured the farm, recognizing its role in pioneering modern agricultural innovation in Nigeria and beyond.
Located in Fasola town, Oyo State, the farm has become a beacon of progress, symbolizing how strategic vision and investment can transform not only industries but entire communities.
For many, Amaju Pinnick’s name is synonymous with football, having led Nigerian football to new heights, securing global recognition, and earning a seat at FIFA’s highest decision-making table. However, his transition into agribusiness is not just a departure from football, it’s an extension of the discipline, leadership, and strategic planning that made him a powerhouse in sports governance.
Just like in football, where success requires vision, teamwork, and tactical execution, agriculture demands patience, precision, and persistence. Pinnick’s Brown Group Innovative Greenhouse Farm is built on these same principles, demonstrating how expertise in one field can be translated into another for national development.
The presence of such high-caliber guests at the farm was more than a ceremonial tour, it was an acknowledgment of agriculture as a critical pillar of economic growth and sustainability.
President Julius Maaday Bio, a leader known for his focus on youth development and economic diversification, saw firsthand how agribusiness can serve as a vehicle for job creation and food security. Sierra Leone, like Nigeria, seeks to leverage agriculture as a means to empower young people and reduce dependency on imports.
Governor Seyi Makinde, whose administration has invested heavily in agrarian transformation in Oyo State, recognized the farm’s contribution to the state’s agricultural renaissance. Fasola, once a sleepy town, is fast becoming a hub of modern farming, thanks to visionary projects like Pinnick’s.
Their visit was not just about admiration, it was about learning, collaboration, and exploring how such a project can be scaled and replicated across Africa.
The Brown Group Farm represents a model that can bridge the gap between sports and agriculture, leveraging football’s global reach to promote investment in food production and self-sufficiency.
The visit of global and national leaders to his farm was more than an endorsement, it was an affirmation that football’s influence does not end with trophies and titles. It can extend to food security, economic empowerment, and sustainable development.
Amaju Pinnick, is gunning for a second term in the hallowed chambers of the world football governing body and the elections will take place on March 12.
The former NFF President will battle nine other contestants for the five tickets. They include; Hany Abou Rida (Egypt) who is seeking re-election; Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) is also seeking re-election; Yahia Ahmed (Mauritania); Souleiman Waberi (Djibouti); Idriss Dialli (Cote d’Ivoire); Mathurin Chakus (Benin Republic); Augustine Senghor (Senegal); Djibrilla Pele Hamidou (Niger Republic); and Andrew Kamanga (Zambia)
