Ministry of Agriculture Honours Chief Extension Officer Owalabi “Labi” Elabanjo on Retirement by Brent Simon
The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy hosted on Saturday evening a special appreciation ceremony in honour of Mr. Owalabi Oluwuatoyin Elabanjo (Abdul Salam), affectionately known as Labi, recognising nearly three decades of unwavering service to agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda.
The ceremony was hosted by Honourable Algernon Watts, Member of Parliament for St. George, and brought together government officials, development partners, farmers, colleagues, family, and friends to celebrate the professional journey and lasting impact of a man widely regarded as a pillar of the Agricultural Extension Division.
Born on 24 January 1961 in Nigeria to Popolapa and Abike Elabanjo, Mr. Elabanjo pursued his early education at Mayflower Primary and Secondary Boarding School before earning a Diploma in Agriculture from Lagos College. He began his career as an Extension Officer in Nigeria before migrating to Antigua and Barbuda, where in 1997 he joined the Ministry of Agriculture as an Extension Officer.
Over the years, Mr. Elabanjo distinguished himself as a tireless advocate for grow local, buy local, food and nutrition security, the Zero Hunger Challenge, and the expansion of the Backyard Garden Programme. His work strengthened practical and theoretical training across agricultural districts and reinforced the critical link between extension services and farmers on the ground.
He served on numerous agricultural advisory boards and committees at the local, regional, and international levels, including the Central Marketing Corporation Board, FAO-supported initiatives, World Food Day programmes, and the Commonwealth of Learning Agricultural Programme, which he chaired locally. He also represented Antigua and Barbuda at regional events such as the Caribbean Week of Agriculture and international agricultural forums worldwide.
Committed to continuous learning, Mr. Elabanjo earned an MSc. In Food Science from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. In March 2020, he was promoted to Chief Extension Officer, a role he holds until his active retirement on 25 January 2026.
Known for his collaborative spirit, Mr. Elabanjo works closely with farmers, backyard gardeners, agro-processors, the African diaspora, the Halo Foundation, Chinese agricultural experts, the Embassy of China, and colleagues across ministries and institutions. A devoted Muslim, he also serves as President of the Islamic Association in Antigua and Barbuda, promoting unity, service, and peace—values he lives by, often summed up in his personal mantra: “Let there be peace.”
Tributes during the programme came from His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General; representatives of the Government of China and the Longping Agricultural Experts; farmers, development partners including IICA, members of the African diaspora, extension staff, and colleagues. The evening also featured presentations, an open floor for reflections, a family response delivered virtually by his brother Kunle Elabanjo, and a celebratory dinner.
After 28 years of unbroken service to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Government, and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Elabanjo makes it clear that retirement marks not an end, but a transition—one in which he remains committed to sharing his knowledge, experience, and passion for agriculture.
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