By Babafemi Ojudu
Olubunmi Olatilu guided me through the expanse of his tree farm, his expertise evident with every step. He effortlessly identified each tree by its local name, quickly followed by the botanical names, which flowed from his tongue with ease.
Olatilu, an afforestation expert, is a walking encyclopedia of plants, both native and foreign to Nigeria. From the Sahel to the Savannah, down to the iroko trees and the dense forest flora, he can spend an entire day detailing each plant’s characteristics and uses. I was awestruck a few weeks ago when my friend, another conservationist, Dr. Babajide Agboola, introduced me to his tree farm and nursery. The variety was staggering—over a thousand species, including many rare and endangered ones.
Once used for electricity poles before being replaced by teak from India, the Opepe tree has found a revival on Olatilu’s farm. Other species like Arindan (Pterocarpus erinaceus), cedar, and Melania are propagated in large numbers due to high demand. Trees such as pandoro, ebony (used for ornamental purposes), and Masonia (a favorite of furniture makers now nearly extinct) are also being cultivated. Shade-providing trees like Opepe and Oporoporo, which remain green year-round, thrive here. The baobab tree, known as ose in Yoruba and capable of living for a thousand years, is also nurtured in the nursery.
If you visit my home a century from now and see a grand baobab, know that I took the seedling from Olatilu’s farm. Other trees like afara, walnut for furniture, mahogany, and omo for musical instruments are also present. The farm boasts a variety of fruit trees, including agbalumo, soursop, locust beans, pawpaw, mangoes, tamarind, bitter kola, guava, and African breadfruit. The obo tree was particularly interesting, once reputed for its ability to reveal witches through its poisonous properties.
Olatilu’s passion and expertise make him a potential Nobel laureate in conservation if there is such a prize. His farm is a hive of activity, attracting forestry students, commercial tree planters, researchers from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and curious visitors like myself. During my visit, a customer ordered 25,000 Melania seedlings for a 10-hectare farm.
Born sixty-six years ago in Ayetoro-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria, Olatilu attended Oduduwa College in Ile Ife and Christ’s School in Ado Ekiti before earning a degree in Forest Resources Management from the University of Ibadan. He served as a Forest Officer in the old Ondo State Civil Service and later in Ekiti State, where he held various positions, including Director of Forestry (Non-Timber Forest Products) and Executive Secretary of the State Boundary Commission, before retiring in 2019. He has attended numerous seminars and workshops worldwide, witnessing firsthand the rapid disappearance of valuable tree species.
With support from individuals and institutions like Dr. Olly Owen of Oxford University, Dennin Bown, formerly of IITA (Leventis Forestry Foundation), the IITA team, Global Green Grants, ITTF UK, and Dr. Babajide Agboola, Olatilu has carried out remarkable afforestation work.
Olatilu’s engagement with nature acknowledges that despite our governance system being rotten and lacking focus, there are Nigerians quietly but steadily working to build a rewarding future.
An applause for a man of vision whose mission is to regenerate and preserve our forest for generations to come. His dedication to afforestation and conservation is truly commendable.
Peoplesmind