Ferguson College of Agriculture

Samson Olaniyi Abiola is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Oklahoma State University’s Ferguson College of Agriculture, where he also completed his Master of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences with an emphasis in Crop Physiology. Originally from Nigeria, Abiola earned his Bachelor of Agriculture in Agronomy from Osun State University, Osogbo, where he graduated as the Best Graduating Student in his department.

“My academic journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to understanding how crops respond to nutrient management and environmental conditions, with the goal of translating that knowledge into practical solutions for farmers,” he said.

Abiola is advised by Dr. Brian Arnall and co-advised by Dr. Amanda de Oliveira Silva. His dissertation title is:

“^aEffects of seeding rate, nitrogen application rates, and timing on different wheat genotypes across two distinct environments

^bMaximizing Double-Crop Sorghum Productivity: The Critical Role of Nitrogen Application Timing”

Abiola’s research sits at the intersection of crop physiology and precision nutrient management, with a focus on small grain systems, particularly winter wheat and double-crop sorghum.

“One arm of my dissertation investigates how seeding rate and nitrogen application rates and timing interact with different wheat genotypes across two distinct environments, aiming to identify management strategies that maximize both yield and grain protein,” he said.

The second arm of his search examines the critical role of nitrogen application timing in maximizing double-crop sorghum productivity.

Abiola chose to attend Oklahoma State University because of its nationally recognized strength in crop and soil sciences and its land-grant mission of serving agricultural communities.

“Reading groundbreaking research on nitrogen use efficiency by the late Dr. Bill Raun and other distinguished OSU faculty long before I applied made it clear this was where I belonged and where I could grow into the renowned researcher, I aspire to be,” Abiola said.

The opportunity to work directly under Dr. Brian Arnall and Dr. Amanda de Oliveira Silva, coupled with the Ferguson College of Agriculture’s commitment to impactful, producer-focused research, made OSU the obvious choice.

“I am passionate about empowering crop producers by giving them the science-backed tools and knowledge they need to farm more profitably and sustainably,” he said. “There is something deeply fulfilling about standing in a field day, translating complex research into actionable advice for a grower who will implement it the very next season.”

For Abiola, OSU’s culture of extension and outreach aligns perfectly with that passion. The collaborative spirit within the department, combined with the opportunity to engage with producers across Oklahoma and beyond, are what keep him energized and purposeful in his work every day.

Abiola’s favorite aspect of graduate school is the moment when data collected across seasons and environments begins to tell a coherent story—one that can genuinely change how a farmer manages their crops.

“I also deeply enjoy the people: mentors like Drs. Arnall, Steve and Lofton who challenge my thinking, the peers who push me to grow and the students I get to support,” Abiola said. “Serving as President of the Graduate and Professional Student Government Association (GPSGA) has been a natural extension of that, giving me a platform to advocate for the graduate community I care so much about.”

After completing his Ph.D., Abiola plans to pursue a career in academic research and extension, ideally as a faculty member or extension specialist, where he can continue developing and delivering the best management practices for crop producers. He is partially interested in precision nutrient management, nitrogen use efficiency, and the application of data-driven tools to optimize crop production systems.

“My long-term goal is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge agronomic science and the farming communities that need it most, both in the United States and globally,” he said.

Something you might not know about Abiola is that he does not enjoy watching movies, and balloons are, surprisingly, one of his biggest fears.

“On a different note, I have the unique ability to remember research papers (their authors, findings, and details), from just a keyword or name,” he said. “I can pull up a citation from memory within minutes, which is one of the reasons why I have grown to love scientific writing so much.”