Akinwumi Adesina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Akinwumi Adesina
CON CGH
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Adesina in 2014
|
|
| 8th President of the African Development Bank | |
| Assumed office 1 September 2015 |
|
| Preceded by | Donald Kaberuka |
| Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development | |
| In office 2010–2015 |
|
| President | Goodluck Jonathan |
| Preceded by | Abba Sayyadi Ruma |
| Succeeded by | Audu Ogbeh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 February 1960 Nigeria |
| Alma mater | University of Ife Purdue University (PhD) |
Akinwumi Adesina is an important leader from Nigeria. He is an economist, which means he studies how money and resources are used. He is currently the President of the African Development Bank. This bank helps African countries grow and develop.
Before this, he was Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. He worked to improve farming in his country. He was first chosen as President of the African Development Bank in 2015. He was then chosen again for a second term in 2020. He is the first person from Nigeria to hold this important position.
Contents
Early Life and School
Akinwumi Adesina was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. His father was a farmer. He went to Ejigbo Baptist High School.
He studied Agricultural Economics at the University of Ife in Nigeria. He graduated with top honors in 1981. He was the first student to achieve this special award from the university.
Adesina continued his studies at Purdue University in Indiana, USA. He earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics in 1988. His research work there was so good that he won an award for it.
Career Highlights
Adesina has worked in many important roles. From 1990 to 1995, he was a senior economist. He worked at the West African Rice Development Association (WARDA) in Ivory Coast.
He also worked for the Rockefeller Foundation. This foundation helps people around the world. He was a senior scientist there starting in 1988. Later, he helped with food security programs from 2003 to 2008.
Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria
Adesina served as Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture from 2010 to 2015. During this time, he made big changes to farming in Nigeria. He made sure that fertilizer, which helps crops grow, was given out fairly.
He was recognized for his work. Forbes magazine named him African Man of the Year for his efforts.
Work with the United Nations
In 2010, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, chose Adesina. He was one of 17 global leaders. Their job was to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals. These goals aimed to make the world a better place.
Adesina also received an award in 2010. It was the Borlaug CAST Communication Award. This award is named after Norman Borlaug, a scientist who won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Leading the African Development Bank
On May 28, 2015, Akinwumi Adesina was chosen to be the President of the African Development Bank. He officially started this job on September 1, 2015.
In September 2016, he was again appointed by the United Nations. He joined a group working to improve nutrition around the world. In 2017, he received the World Food Prize. This prize honors people who have improved the world's food supply.
On August 27, 2020, Adesina was re-elected. He began his second five-year term as President of the African Development Bank. In March 2024, he received the Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Award.
His second term as President of the African Development Bank is set to end in September 2025.
Personal Life
While studying at Purdue University, Akinwumi Adesina and his wife started a Christian group. It was called the African Student Fellowship.
Awards and Honors
Akinwumi Adesina has received many awards for his important work:
- 2010, Borlaug CAST Communication Award
- 2013, Forbes Africa Person of the Year
- 2015, named one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine
- 2018, Honorary Doctor degree from Afe Babalola University
- 2019, Forbes Africa Person of the Year (for the second time)
- 2020, Honorary Doctor of Science from Federal University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
- 2022, Honorary Doctorate from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
- 2023, Doctor of Science from Veritas University Abuja
- 2024, Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration from Bayero University, Kano
National Awards
Nigeria:
Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic - 2012
Foreign Awards
Kenya:
Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (CGH) - 2025
Cameroon:
Grand Officer of the Order of Valour - 2017
Gambia:
Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia - 2023
Liberia:
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Star of Africa - 2018
Niger:
Grand Officer of the National Order of Niger - 2017
Senegal:
Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion - 2015
Togo:
Grand Commander of the Order of Mono - 2018
Tunisia:
Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit of Tunisia - 2019
_GO_2nd_type_ribbon.svg){kind=small}
_-_ribbon_bar.png){kind=small}
_-_ribbon_bar.png){kind=small}
See also
In Spanish: Akinwumi Adesina para niños
