Dr Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina

Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina  currently holds the esteemed position of the 8th elected President of the African Development Bank Group, a role he assumed on May 28, 2015, following his election by the Bank’s Board of Governors during its Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Commencing his term on September 1, 2015, at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Dr. Adesina is committed to serving his final five-year term following his re-election in 2020 by the board.
With over 25 years of international experience, Dr. Adesina is a distinguished development economist and agricultural development expert. Notably, he is the first Nigerian to assume the presidency of the Bank Group. Before taking on this significant role, he served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015, during which time he implemented impactful policy reforms in the fertilizer sector and spearheaded innovative agricultural investment programs aimed at expanding opportunities for the private sector.
Possessing academic credentials, Dr. Adesina earned a Master’s degree (1985) and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics (1988) from Purdue University, USA, where he received the outstanding thesis award. Furthermore, he graduated with First Class Honors in agricultural economics from the University of Ife, Nigeria in 1981.
As Minister, Dr. Adesina achieved notable success in transforming Nigeria’s agriculture sector within four years. His initiatives included the eradication of 40 years of corruption in the fertilizer sector through the introduction of an innovative electronic wallet system, reaching 14.5 million farmers in its first four years. Under his leadership, Nigeria experienced a shift in perception, with agriculture evolving from subsistence to a viable business, attracting $5.6 billion in private sector investment commitments.
Prior to his ministerial role, Dr. Adesina held significant positions, including Vice President (policy and partnerships) at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Associate Director and Regional Director for the Southern Africa Office at the Rockefeller Foundation.
Acknowledged for his contributions, Dr. Adesina has received numerous awards, including the YARA Prize in 2007, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Purdue University in 2008, and the Forbes Africa Person of the Year award in 2013. He has also been recognized for his leadership on the global stage, serving on the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition and being appointed by the United Nations Secretary General in 2010 to galvanize international support for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Dr. Adesina’s dedication to African development is evident in his multifaceted approach, encompassing strategic partnerships, policy reforms, and innovative initiatives, all aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of millions, particularly women and youth, and fostering economic growth across the continent.