Akinwumi adesina
Akinwumi Adesina: A Profile of the AfDB President ”
Introduction
Akinwumi Adesina is a renowned Nigerian economist, agricultural development expert, and the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). He was previously Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and has held significant positions in various global organizations including his tenure at the Rockefeller Foundation as the Vice President.
With his wealth of experience in the field, Adesina has become one of the most respected and admired personalities in Africa. In this blog post, we will explore Adesina’s exceptional career journey and his significant achievements while highlighting the impact he has made across Africa.
Who is Akinwumi Adesina?
Born on February 6, 1960, in Nigeria, Adesina is the first Nigerian to hold the position of AfDB President and has been serving since September 2015. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He also holds both a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University in Indiana, United States.
In the early days of his career, Adesina worked as a Senior Economist at the West African Rice Development Association. He was also a visiting Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Akinwumi Adesina’s Achievements
Over the years, Adesina has earned a reputation as an expert in his field, with significant achievements both in and out of Africa. Here are some notable achievements and awards that he has received:
- He was awarded the prestigious ‘World Food Prize’ in 2017 for his efforts at redeveloping the Nigerian agricultural sector. Adesina is the first Nigerian to receive the prize
- He led Nigeria’s agricultural sector reforms and policies between March 2011 to May 2015, where he revolutionized the industry by creating jobs and reducing dependence on oil revenue
- He has also served as the Vice President of Policy and Partnerships at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) where he worked for eight years. Adesina was instrumental in spearheading the development of AGRA’s Africa Agriculture Status Report, which has become the reference for agriculture policies in Africa
- He was elected as the 8th President of AfDB in September 2015, following a rigorous electoral process. During his first term in office, he achieved significant milestones including; the launch of the ‘Light Up and Power Africa’ initiative, which increased access to electricity for millions of people in Africa. The initiative created a pathway for the development of renewable energy projects across the continent. He also launched the ‘Feed Africa’ initiative, a strategy to transform the agricultural sector in Africa
Conclusion
Akinwumi Adesina’s significant achievements and outstanding reputation have made him an inspiration to many African youths. He has shown that with dedication and hard work, one can become a change agent for economic development across the continent. It is clear that Adesina’s efforts have had a positive impact on Africa’s agriculture sector, and we expect him to continue to make a difference in the lives of Africans in the years ahead.
References:
- https://www.afdb.org/en/the-president
- https://www.nigerianbiography.com/2016/05/biography-of-rev-akinwumi-adesina.html
- https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-release/afdb-president-akinwumi-adesina-named-2017-world-food-prize-laureate-18291
- https://allianceforagreenevolutioninafrica.org/about-us/leadership/#:~:text=%20Leadership%20%20%201%20-%20Akinwumi%20Adesina%20,%20Alliance%20for%20a%20Green…%20More%20
