Ade Adefeko: The Nigerian Who Became Botswana’s First Honorary Consul

Ade Adefeko’s story is one of preparation meeting opportunity, quietly, steadily, and across borders.

On December 24, 2020, the Government of the Republic of Botswana appointed Adefeko as its first Honorary Consul to Nigeria, a historic move that made him the first Nigerian ever to represent Botswana in that capacity. The appointment reflected a clear intention to deepen economic and diplomatic ties with Nigeria through someone who understands people, policy, and business.

As Honorary Consul, his mandate is practical rather than ceremonial. He is expected to promote cooperation between Nigeria and Botswana in key areas such as agriculture, mining, education, ICT, tourism, and aviation, while helping businesses on both sides find common ground.

A Life Shaped Early by Diplomacy and Travel

Born in Nigeria a decade after independence to a diplomat father, Adefeko was introduced early to life beyond borders. By the age of four, he had lived outside Nigeria, including time in Chad, where his exposure to French-speaking environments began. Travel, cultures, and languages were not distant ideas, they were part of everyday life.

His years at Federal Government College, Odogbolu, one of Nigeria’s unity schools, further shaped his worldview. Surrounded by classmates from across the country, he developed a deep belief in Nigeria’s diversity and unity, a conviction that still guides his thinking today.

He later studied Foreign Languages (French and Portuguese) at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating in 1990. That decision would quietly become one of the most valuable assets of his career.

Today, Adefeko speaks at least ten languages, including French, Portuguese, German, Spanish, Swahili, Zulu, and Ndebele, alongside Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo. He often uses language as a diplomatic tool, breaking tension, building trust, and opening doors long before formal negotiations begin.

A Career Built Across Sectors

Adefeko’s professional journey has never followed a single straight line. He began his career in 1991 in the oil services sector, while also lecturing French at Alliance Française. In 1992, he moved into banking, where he worked across operations, credit, and treasury, eventually becoming the pioneer branch manager of Standard Trust Bank (now UBA) in Ilorin.

After more than a decade in banking, he transitioned into corporate communications and public affairs. He held senior roles at MultiChoice Nigeria (DStv) and later at British American Tobacco, where he served as Area Head of Communications and Regulation for Nigeria, Benin Republic, Niger, and Togo.

In 2011, Adefeko joined Olam Nigeria, one of the country’s largest agribusiness players. He rose to become Vice President and Head of Corporate and Government Relations, overseeing engagement with government, regulators, and key stakeholders. During this period, Olam strengthened its position as a major non-oil exporter and expanded operations, including the acquisition of Dangote Flour Mills in 2019.

A Strong Voice for Agriculture and Policy Consistency

Beyond corporate roles, Adefeko has consistently spoken about Nigeria’s economic direction, especially agriculture. He believes Nigeria’s challenge is not lack of potential but lack of long-term policy consistency. According to him, agriculture cannot grow on short political cycles, it needs steady planning, strong enforcement, and protection against issues that undermines local producers.

His views are shaped by hands-on experience. Olam, under his leadership in government relations, has become one of Nigeria’s largest contributors to non-oil exports and foreign exchange, reinforcing the role of agribusiness in national development.

He also chairs the NACCIMA Agricultural Trade Group, representing over 3,000 farmers, SMEs, and agribusiness operators, and serves on several trade, export, and competitiveness advisory bodies.

Why Botswana Makes Sense

Adefeko’s relationship with Botswana did not begin with his appointment. Years earlier, he had taken a keen interest in the country’s development story. In 2018, he wrote extensively about Botswana’s transformation, from extreme poverty at independence to an upper-middle-income economy, driven by good governance, rule of law, and disciplined economic management.

That long-standing respect for Botswana’s model, combined with his diplomatic temperament and private-sector experience, made his appointment both logical and strategic.

Service Over Politics

Despite his influence and exposure, Adefeko has repeatedly distanced himself from elective politics. He has said he prefers roles where he can serve without partisanship, contribute ideas, and help shape outcomes without being tied to political ambition.

He often credits his journey to spiritual grounding, contentment, and strong family support, guided by a simple personal philosophy: “For God, family, and country.” 

A Quiet but Important Role

As Botswana’s first Honorary Consul to Nigeria, Ade Adefeko operates largely behind the scenes, connecting governments, opening business conversations, and translating goodwill into practical cooperation.

In a continent pushing for deeper intra-African trade and collaboration, his role reflects a growing understanding: that diplomacy today is as much about commerce, credibility, and human connection as it is about protocol and in that space, Adefeko fits naturally- calm, prepared, and multilingual in every sense of the word.