Akinwumi Adesina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Akinwumi Adesina
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Akinwumi Adesina in 2014
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| 8th President of the African Development Bank |
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| Assumed office 1 September 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Donald Kaberuka |
| Nigerian Agriculture Minister | |
| In office 2010–2015 |
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| 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 Nigerian economist. He is currently the President of the African Development Bank, which is a big bank that helps African countries grow. Before this, he was Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. He was first chosen to lead the African Development Bank in 2015 and then again in 2020. He is the first person from Nigeria to hold this important job.
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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. Later, he studied Agricultural Economics at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Nigeria. He graduated with the best grades in his class in 1981. He was the first student to achieve this at the university.
He then went to Purdue University in Indiana, USA, for more studies. He briefly came back to Nigeria in 1984 to get married. In 1988, he earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue. His research work was so good that he won an award for the best Ph.D. thesis.
His Career and Achievements
After finishing his studies, Adesina worked as a senior economist at the West African Rice Development Association (WARDA) in Ivory Coast from 1990 to 1995. He also worked for the Rockefeller Foundation, which is a group that helps people around the world. He started there in 1988. From 1999 to 2003, he was the Foundation's representative for Southern Africa. Then, from 2003 to 2008, he helped with food security programs.
Helping Nigerian Farmers
From 2010 to 2015, Akinwumi Adesina was Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture. During this time, he made many changes to help farmers. He made sure that the supply of fertilizer was more honest and clear. He also wanted to give mobile phones to farmers. This idea was meant to help them get important information. However, it was hard to do because many rural areas did not have good mobile phone service.
Because of his work in agriculture, Forbes magazine named him the African Man of the Year in 2013.
Working for Global Goals
In 2010, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, chose Adesina to be one of 17 world leaders. Their job was to help reach the Millennium Development Goals, which were goals to improve life for people around the world.
Adesina also received the 2010 Borlaug CAST Communication Award. This award is named after Norman Borlaug, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in agriculture.
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 important role on September 1, 2015. This bank helps African countries with money for projects like building roads, schools, and hospitals.
In 2017, he received the World Food Prize. This award recognizes people who have made great improvements in the world's food supply.
On August 27, 2020, Adesina was chosen again to be the President of the African Development Bank for another five years. In March 2024, he received the Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Award.
Personal Life
While studying at Purdue University, Akinwumi Adesina and his wife, along with another couple, started a Christian group called the African Student Fellowship.
Awards and Honors
Akinwumi Adesina has received many awards for his hard work and leadership:
- 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
International Awards
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
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See also
In Spanish: Akinwumi Adesina para niños
