Oluwakemi Betty Arowosegbe: Redefining Global Agricultural Supply Chains with Visionary Leadership

In an era where food supply chains are under unprecedented pressure, Oluwakemi Betty Arowosegbe is making a profound impact, blending strategic insight with a deep commitment to advancing global food transportation systems. With a robust foundation in agricultural economics and expertise in supply chain management, Arowosegbe is reshaping how fresh produce reaches the shelves—and ultimately, consumers’ tables.

Arowosegbe’s passion for transforming agricultural supply chains is deeply personal, rooted in her own experiences growing up in Nigeria. “I saw firsthand the challenges farmers faced,” she recalls. “Despite the relentless work they put into cultivating their crops, so much of their produce would go to waste or be sold at low prices because of breakdowns in the supply chain.” This inefficiency, she observed, was not only a waste of valuable resources but a loss of revenue and opportunity for the farmers themselves. These early experiences sparked a desire to close the gap between farmers and consumers, ensuring that farmers’ hard work translates into both higher quality and better prices in the marketplace.

Arowosegbe’s journey toward impact began at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Nigeria, where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Extension in 2007. Her drive for excellence saw her further hone her expertise with a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management from the same institution in 2021. Currently, Arowosegbe is pursuing a Master of Science in Supply Chain and Operations Management at the University of Illinois Chicago, a step she views as crucial for refining her impact on a global scale.

Her career took flight at Sigma Pensions Limited, where she dedicated over a decade, eventually becoming the Head of the Administration and Protocol Unit, where she oversaw the procurement and supply chain activities of the company. Her achievements there were transformative: she introduced cost-saving, process improvement, and risk mitigation strategies into the company’s supply chain, transalting into smooth operations and helping the company maintain its reputation by meeting service delivery expectations to its over 700,000 clients. “My years at Sigma were invaluable. I learned the importance of resilience and efficiency in supply chain operations,” she reflects.

Beyond her formal roles, Arowosegbe extended her knowledge to Nigerian brands like Psaltry International Company Limited, and Ecoenergy Integrated Services, offering pro bono collaboration and training on procurement and supply chain improvements. In recognition of her contributions, she was honored with an Exemplary Leadership award by the Lions Club Abuja Chapter in the 2022/2023 lion year.
Her dedication is matched by her professional affiliations: she joined the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals in October 2023 and became a member of the Association for Supply Chain Management in November 2023. Through these memberships, she continues to stay at the cutting edge of her field, connected to new insights and advancements.

In her own words, technology is pivotal in the future of supply chains. “Technology is a game-changer,” she says, advocating for the integration of predictive analytics and real-time tracking to enhance supply chain visibility and preempt disruptions. Her visionary approach extends to establishing robust partnerships with farmers, distributors, and retailers, enabling a seamless network from field to storefront. “Collaboration is essential. By building partnerships, we ensure a reliable and consistent flow of food products.”

Arowosegbe’s thought leadership is well documented, with publications like Risk Management in Global Supply Chains: Addressing Vulnerabilities in Shipping and Logistics and Sustainability and Risk Management in Shipping and Logistics, underscoring her commitment to operational resilience and sustainability.

With her latest initiative focused on the global grocery supply chain, Arowosegbe aims to create systems that are as resilient as they are efficient. “The goal is to ensure that food products reach consumers fresh, economically, and reliably,” she explains. Her strategy promises not only to elevate logistics but to bolster food security, enhance the agricultural sector’s efficiency, and drive economic growth worldwide.

Oluwakemi Betty Arowosegbe is more than a supply chain expert; she’s a trailblazer reshaping the global food system, one strategic partnership at a time.