A management consultant, Olayinka Olawale, has received a Fellowship from the Institute of Management Consultants for his research on animal welfare, ethics, and the role of human factors in livestock management.
The IMC gave Olawale the award following his latest study, ‘Effects of Age, Education, and Gender of Handlers on Animal Welfare and Ethics in Government Settlements,’ published in the Nigerian Journal of Animal Production.
His study offers insights into how education, experience, and gender dynamics impact livestock handling and farm productivity.
In a statement, Olawale noted that his research revealed that handlers with higher education levels exhibit superior livestock care, leading to better farm efficiency and improved economic outcomes.
He advocated structured training programmes to equip handlers with modern ethical practices, ensuring sustainable and humane livestock management.
“Ethical livestock management is not just about compliance—it directly impacts productivity, profitability, and food security,” Olawale stated.
The IMC Fellowship, one of the highest honours in professional management consulting, is awarded to industry leaders driving transformative change.
The institute acknowledged Olawale’s contributions, describing his work as a bridge between ethical standards and practical livestock management.
“Olayinka Olawale’s research provides actionable strategies for policymakers, agribusiness leaders, and stakeholders to enhance livestock welfare and ethical compliance,” an IMC representative stated.
The institution affirmed that its recognition places Olawale among Nigeria’s most influential figures in ethical livestock management and agribusiness consulting.
Olawale’s findings highlighted the need for mandatory welfare training for livestock handlers to enhance industry standards and revised hiring policies to prioritise skilled and well-trained professionals in government-supported agricultural programmes.
His findings also emphasised the need for gender-inclusive livestock management strategies that recognise diverse approaches to animal care and stronger enforcement of ethical standards in livestock handling practices.
Further, the statement noted that Olawale’s research, by focusing on the human element in animal welfare, sets a framework for improving livestock productivity, ethical compliance, and sustainability across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Additionally, the institute noted that Olawale’s research will guide industry best practices, shape policy discussions, and drive advancements in ethical livestock management.
“By integrating ethical standards into management practices, we can create a more humane, productive, and sustainable agricultural sector,” Olawale affirmed.
The IMC submitted that it hopes that as Olawale joins the ranks of IMC Fellows, his contributions will continue to shape ethical farming, professional consulting, and sustainable livestock management, setting a new standard for the country’s agribusiness industry.