In the landscape of modern leadership, few individuals embody purpose, resilience, and impact as profoundly as Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, the Honourable Commissioner for Livestock Development in Kwara State.
Her journey through public service in Kwara State is one marked by intentionality, excellence, and unwavering loyalty to the vision of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
To know Mrs. Toyosi Thomas is to understand what it means to lead with conviction and purpose. Her career in public service began with a deep commitment to grassroots development and citizen engagement.
As the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-Governmental Affairs, she created inclusive bridges between the government and Non-Governmental Organizations, ensuring that key voices — especially from underserved communities — were not left behind in the administration’s developmental blueprint.
Her seamless transition to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development marked a new chapter, where she oversaw not just agricultural reforms but also mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusive access to government resources. Her hallmark has always been an impact that reaches the last person in line.
Mrs. Thomas has consistently proven that development must be people-centered. A vocal and practical advocate for youth and women empowerment, she has facilitated countless initiatives — both public and private — that focus on skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and community development.
Her message is simple yet powerful: “Start small and start now.” It’s a philosophy she embodies and encourages in everyone she mentors. She believes in starting small and starting now, encouraging young people across Kwara State to embrace self-reliance, creativity, and the power of consistent action. Her mentorship style is deeply personal — she not only creates opportunities, she walks alongside beneficiaries, guiding them with insight and encouragement.
Mrs. Thomas is a relentless learner and solution-seeker who has represented Kwara State on multiple platforms, both within Nigeria and abroad. Her engagements with international stakeholders have helped spotlight Kwara as a destination for partnership, investment, and innovation, particularly in sectors like sustainable development, agribusiness, and livestock transformation.
Through these efforts, she has worked to bring the world to Kwara — initiating dialogues with investors, fostering knowledge exchanges, and positioning the state as a model for sub-national excellence in Nigeria.
When the announcement came about her appointment to lead the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development, it was met with resounding approval. For those who know her, it came as no surprise. Mrs. Thomas is the kind of leader who breathes life into any assignment — her belief that “nothing is impossible” is not just a mantra, but a daily reality in her service.
Her appointment as Commissioner for the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development was a strategic masterstroke. Many saw it as a challenge; she embraced it as an opportunity to build from scratch. Her ability to design policy, drive implementation, and communicate results has made the ministry a critical player in the Governor’s economic diversification and food security agenda.
Mrs. Thomas leadership extends far beyond livestock. She has been instrumental in: Establishing help desks and citizen feedback platforms to improve government service delivery, Leading public-private partnerships in agriculture, enterprise, and vocational training, Supporting budget advocacy efforts that bring farmers, civil society, and technocrats together to shape policy and Championing environmentally conscious and sustainable practices in rural communities.
Perhaps what stands out the most is her unquestionable loyalty to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his vision. Whether in formal meetings or casual conversations, she never fails to recognize the enabling environment the Governor has created for technocrats and change agents to thrive. Her respect and admiration for the Governor are matched only by her commitment to actualizing his dreams for a prosperous Kwara.
I believe that, “Even if you intentionally kill a thing, she’ll find a way to resurrect it. This is her way of life. Mrs. Thomas is a revivalist of dead systems, forgotten communities, abandoned youth, and overlooked potentials.
Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas is not just a commissioner. She is a visionary, a mobilizer, a reformer, and a woman of deep conviction. Her work speaks for itself across government, non-governmental space, and the private sector. As Kwara State continues to rise on the path of inclusive development and innovation, her footprints are already being etched into its foundation.
Without a doubt, Mrs. Toyosi Thomas is one of the finest appointments in the current administration. Her commitment, energy, and impact are testaments to the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, whom we must continue to commend for identifying and empowering capable hands like hers.
Adeleke Adebayo writes from Ilorin, Kwara State.
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