Lazarus Yerima

Meet Lazarus

Lazarus Yerima is educated as mechanical engineer, but a development enthusiast at heart. After ten years helping set up industries across Nigeria with the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank, he shifted gears and for the past 36 years, he has focused on rural microfinance in agribusiness. Since 2012, Lazarus has been part of the iCRA family, mentoring and training agribusiness professionals with passion and heart.

Working with iCRA has been a turning point for Lazarus. Where he once thought free support led to business success, he now sees business as a real engine for development. It’s a shift he’s eager to pass on by inspiring smallholder farmers to think differently, act boldly, and grow stronger together. Back home in Nigeria, Lazarus works with rural women and youth, coaching them to access microfinance, farm inputs, and training to move their agribusinesses forward. Out in the field, in workshops, or one-on-one, he is all about building skills that stick. Nothing makes him happier than rolling up his sleeves and helping smallholder farmers sharpen their business skills.

He’s the proud father of four children, each with their own path — from physics and geography to economics and agricultural extension. Three of them now work in faith-based development initiatives, following in his footsteps in their own way. In his downtime, Lazarus loves to travel, read, and watch documentaries.