Chyka Victor Unamma

Victor Unamma C. PhD has approximately 20 years of in-depth technical and professional experience in Project Management and Agricultural value chain development and implementation in the Agricultural and Rural development sector of the Nigerian Economy. He has garnered cognate experiences, knowledge and relationships within and across the agricultural sector having worked with Governments, private sector investors, corporate industrial off-takers and donor-agencies.

His field work in agricultural value chain with the IFAD-VCDP over seven years leveraged about $70 million from industrial rice off-takers and processors. As an Agronomist and Extensionist, he has successfully coordinated and driven programme activities on crop value chain development, sustainable livelihoods, rural community development and poverty alleviation through partnership building.

Project Director (PD) – Rayuwa Project - PYXERA Global - Katsina and Kaduna State, Nigeria

(2022-01 - 2025-04)

Oversaw day-to-day programmatic operations of the Project in Katsina and Kaduna State. The rural development Project intervened in sustainable increased crop production, foundational education of the rural dwellers and their livelihoods. Successfully managed and concluded the John Deere – funded PYXERA Global Rayuwa Project as the Project Director on April 30, 2025.

• Supervised and provided technical guidance and mentorship to the team on program implementation activities
• Led program design and work plan development with the team in consultation with in-country stakeholders and PYXERA Global staff
• Ensured program achievement of high-quality results in accordance with the targets identified in the program's work plan
• Ensured effective tracking of program and activity indicators as per the program's Monitoring and Evaluation plan to drive work plan design, adjustment, and execution
• Developed achievable and detailed scopes of work for staff, consultants, and volunteers, etc., and provided regular performance evaluations and feedback
• Served as the primary liaison between the project offices and department leadership and the organization, promoting positive and constructive working relationships
• Ensured timely submission of regular programmatic and financial reports to PYXERA Global per donor and partner requirements
• Ensured and promoted local staff development and progressive management responsibilities in all aspects of program implementation with the overall goal of long-term sustainability of the project's impact
• Served as the Program's external liaison in Northern Nigeria, establishing and strengthening collaborative relationships with key partners and stakeholders in the region in coordination with PYXERA Global
• Ensured compliance with local Nigerian laws and regulations and adherence to PYXERA Global's and donor's legal, financial, and operational policies and procedures
• Coordinated the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the Project programs and activities in the region
• Organized and conducted briefings and debriefings on the Project for the States, resources and development towards full actualization of project performances

Agricultural Production Advisor – Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) - International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) - Nigeria

Worked on value chain development activities over seven years. Leveraged about $70 million from industrial rice off-takers and processors such as Olam International Nigeria, Onyx Rice Mill Ltd., Josan Rice Millers, Udoka Rice Mills, Abakaliki Rice Mills, Harvest Feed Agro-industries, and FTK Cassava processors. Faced with the challenge of poor quality planting materials, initiated and coordinated the development of Rice-seed and Cassava-stem Enterprises for selected youths and women.

Successfully brokered sustainable marketing relationships between rural farmers and industrial rice-millers worth over $25 million.

• Coordinated and drove programme activities on crop value chain development, sustainable livelihoods, rural community development and poverty alleviation through partnership building
• Successfully managed and coordinated delivery of subsidized production inputs to rural farmers through effective partnership with International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) and Messrs. Cellulant as input supply managers
• Initiated and coordinated the development of Rice-seed and Cassava-stem Enterprises for selected youths and women entrepreneurs
• Supported youth and women entrepreneurs in rice-seed and cassava-stem production and marketing to enhance farmer productivities

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Agricultural Extension - University of Abuja (2016)

Diploma - Agri-Business and Post-Harvest Management - Galilee International Management Institute (2012)

Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) - Project Management - CIPM Ghana (2024)

Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) - Management - University of Abuja (2005)

Master's Degree (M.Sc.) - Crop Science - University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1997)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - General Agriculture - Bendel State University, Ekpoma (1988)