Like many of us, Hassan Akinade didn’t have a grand plan for his career when he graduated. He didn’t have a clear vision of his dream job or a roadmap to follow. He just knew he wanted to keep learning and growing in whatever field he found himself in. That’s how he ended up in AFEX, working as an Area Sales Manager. He became passionate about transforming the lives of the farmers he connected with at AFEX and helping them escape poverty and earn a decent living.

In this final episode of AFEX Xpansion stories, he tells us how he spreads the BaWasa message across AFEX’s operational regions and how AFEX’s infrastructure has grown in quality and quantity over the years.

Hassan, you are in charge of managing multiple warehouses in Jigawa. That sounds like a huge responsibility and a lot of work. How did you get to this position and what challenges did you overcome along the way?

I joined AFEX straight from university with no warehousing experience whatsoever and was thrown straight into the mix of laborers and truck drivers. I was the midpoint of ensuring everything was going according to plan and tracking the movement of commodities from and into the warehouses.

My beginner years involved me trying to understand my role before understanding the full nature of AFEX. I must confess, it was hectic, I was new to adulting and the job, so I had to figure both out simultaneously; I wouldn’t say it was the most pleasant experience. But I am grateful for where I am now.

AFEX has been on an incredible journey over the years. Tell me about some of the things that have happened in the last 10 years.

From what I hear from other members of the AFEX staff, there’s an all-around growth being experienced across the board, but from my end, which is the field, I’ve witnessed growth in both quantity and quality measures. When I came in, we had 3-4 warehouses in Kaduna; I’ve watched us move from this to having a wide presence in more than 20 states today, with more than 130 warehouses across these states.

For quality, I’ve seen us adopt the international standard of commodities quality, making sure that we do not take in damaged goods and grains. The warehouses and processing plants are top-notch, helping to prevent losses for farmers and processors. We find farmers wanting to sell their products when in good condition so they can get good prices. Processors, on the other hand, need good grains to maximize product quality and are able to find that with us. Our growth shows in more than just numbers, and this gladdens me.

AFEX’s growth from 6-7 warehouses in 3-4 states to now over 130 warehouses across 20 states in Nigeria, and also new operations in Kenya and Uganda in the last 6-7 years I have been here is still a wonder.

How have your responsibilities changed over time?

I joined the organization as an Admin Officer in Jigawa and I am now the Area Sales Manager for all the areas under Jigawa. An Admin officer usually is under a warehouse Manager performing clerical functions or helping to ensure that things go well within that specific warehouse.

What do you love about working at AFEX and its growth story?

The excitement with AFEX is that there is no limit to how far you can grow as an employee; it’s more often than not a grass-to-grace story with every Xpert. The evolution shows that we are ready to include the entire continent, and I love that I am also here to witness it.

What is the most important lesson that your work at AFEX taught you?

Working with AFEX has taught me a lot about responsibility. I am responsible for everything and everyone within whatever scope I occupy. This has kept me going. I know a lot of work rests on my little shoulders, and I can't afford to mess it up. I understand that if I snooze, many people will lose their livelihoods if I fail in my state, and a lot of families could go hungry for that.

Looking back at your journey with AFEX, what is one thing you wish you had learned sooner?

Shine your eye; Trust must be earned. Do not feel you’ll be trusted if you’ve not given a reason for people to trust you. Make sure you honour your promises and deliver as when due. Also, a little lapse could destroy a lot of things.

How do you see AFEX in the next few years?

I see AFEX in all ECOWAS states, replicating what we do in Nigeria, which has been a dream since I joined. Farmers in Africa really need help, and I hope we can reach every end.