President Adama Barrow of The Gambia has formally unveiled a plaque renaming the University of The Gambia’s School of Agriculture and Environmental Services as the Dr. Akinwumi Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Services, in recognition of Adesina’s enduring impact on Africa’s agricultural transformation and food security.

The renaming marks a historic moment for the country’s higher education and agricultural sectors, celebrating Adesina’s leadership, vision, and decades-long commitment to driving sustainable development across the continent.

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who served as President of the African Development Bank Group from 2015 to 2025, is widely credited with reshaping Africa’s development agenda through the Bank’s flagship High 5s strategy: Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Integrate Africa, Industrialise Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.

According to African Development Bank data, the High five programme has directly impacted more than 535 million people, positioning agriculture as a cornerstone of economic growth, food security, and job creation across the continent.

Under Adesina’s leadership, the Bank launched the Feed Africa Strategy, which transformed agricultural productivity and helped provide food security for over 104 million people. 

Complementing this was the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative, which accelerated the adoption of climate-smart technologies and empowered millions of smallholder farmers.

These efforts have been widely recognised for strengthening agricultural value chains, improving resilience to climate change, and creating sustainable livelihoods across rural Africa.

Adesina’s tenure also saw the African Development Bank’s capital base grow from $93 billion to $318 billion, the largest increase in its history. 

During this period, the Bank retained its AAA credit rating and received global recognition as one of the world’s most transparent and effective multilateral development institutions.

In The Gambia, the Bank financed the landmark Gambia–Senegal Bridge, a project that had been long envisioned since the country’s independence. 

The bridge has significantly reduced travel time, boosted cross-border trade, and strengthened regional integration.

In a letter dated 27th November 2025, The Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, described Adesina’s tenure as “transformative,” citing his role in driving economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development across Africa.

The citation also acknowledged Adesina’s earlier reforms as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, which laid the groundwork for modernising the sector, increasing food production, and expanding economic opportunities for farmers.

Source: Independence
Image Credit: APO Group