Outgoing African Development Bank President Adesina Gets New Appointment

Outgoing African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has been appointed to the esteemed Council of Advisors of the World Food Prize Foundation.
Mashal Husain, the president of the Foundation, made the announcement in a statement that was shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and released in New York. In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to agricultural and food security throughout Africa, Adesina was named a World Food Prize Laureate in 2017; his ten-year term at AfDB comes to an end in September.

“President Adesina embodies Dr. Norman Borlaug’s values and vision—turning bold ideas into tangible impact,” Husain remarked. His lifelong dedication to sustainable agriculture, economic growth throughout Africa, and agricultural innovation makes him a remarkable addition to our Council of Advisors. In this new capacity, we are delighted to have him return to the Foundation.
To steer the Foundation’s goal and further Borlaug’s vision of a world free from hunger, the Council of Advisors is composed of eminent international leaders, including ministers, scientists, policymakers, and past heads of state.

Adesina replied, “I am extremely honored to be a part of the World Food Prize Foundation’s Council of Advisors,” expressing gratitude. A personal hero and mentor, Dr. Norman Borlaug’s dedication to eradicating hunger influenced my own path. I am honored to continue on his legacy as Laureate, and I am excited to collaborate with the Foundation to promote audacious, scientifically based solutions that elevate farmers, feed countries, and change the globe.

Adesina, a well-known development economist and agricultural specialist worldwide, played a key role in initiating programs that greatly increased food production, addressed corruption in Nigeria’s fertilizer distribution system, and increased loan availability for millions of smallholder farmers.

Before being the first Nigerian to be appointed to the role, Adesina was Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015.

He was also a significant figure at AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Adesina promoted the “High 5” development agenda—Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa—while serving as AfDB’s leader.

He oversaw the bank’s capital growth from $93 billion to $318 billion, which made historic investments possible in food systems, infrastructure, and youth entrepreneurship.

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Tom Vilsack, CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation, stated that Dr. Adesina has been a pioneer in international agriculture and economic growth for a considerable amount of time. “Under his leadership, the agricultural landscape in Africa has changed, from combating corruption to empowering farmers and promoting sustainable growth.”

Purdue University awarded Adesina a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. He is anticipated to take up his new position on the Council in September, following the conclusion of his tenure as AfDB president.

The World Food Prize was established by Dr. Norman Borlaug, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, to recognize those who have made a substantial contribution to the availability, quality, or quantity of food worldwide.

Presented yearly during the Borlaug Dialogue, a week-long event centered around addressing world hunger, the prize has been given to 55 global changemakers since its establishment.