The Government of The Gambia has accorded former President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, a landmark honour with the renaming of the University of The Gambia’s School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences after him.
President Adama Barrow unveiled a commemorative plaque officially designating the faculty as the Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, in recognition of Adesina’s outstanding leadership and enduring contributions to Africa’s agricultural transformation, food security and economic development.
The historic gesture immortalises Adesina’s legacy as a leading development economist and global advocate for Africa’s agricultural renaissance, reports Daily Independent.
During his tenure as President of the AfDB from 2015 to 2025, Adesina championed the Bank’s transformative High 5s agenda Light Up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Integrate Africa; Industrialize Africa; and Improve the Quality of Life of the People of Africa which, according to Bank data, positively impacted more than 535 million people across the continent.
Under his leadership, the AfDB’s capital base grew from $93 billion to $318 billion, the highest in the institution’s history.
The Bank also earned global recognition as the world’s most transparent financial institution and the best multilateral development bank, while consistently maintaining its AAA credit rating.
A major pillar of Adesina’s legacy was the Feed Africa Strategy, which helped deliver food security to over 104 million people, alongside the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative that boosted productivity, strengthened climate resilience and empowered millions of smallholder farmers.
In The Gambia, Adesina’s impact is etched in concrete and steel through the AfDB-financed Senegambia Bridge, a decades-old national aspiration realised under his leadership.
The iconic bridge has significantly reduced travel time between The Gambia and Senegal, enhanced regional integration and stimulated cross-border trade.
The decision to rename the faculty was formally conveyed in a letter dated November 27, 2025, signed by the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez. In the letter, the minister described Adesina’s AfDB presidency as “transformative,” citing its role in driving economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development across Africa.
“Your leadership in launching the Feed Africa Strategy and the TAAT initiative has revolutionised agricultural productivity and food security, empowering millions of smallholder farmers and enhancing climate resilience,” the letter stated.
The citation also highlighted Adesina’s earlier reforms as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, noting that they laid the foundation for modernising the sector, boosting food production and expanding economic opportunities.
In a letter of appreciation to President Barrow, Adesina described the honour as “rare and exceptional,” expressing profound gratitude for the recognition of his work in advancing Africa’s agricultural transformation.
“I look forward to visiting The Gambia soon to witness this monumental development, which will remain ever green in my memory,” he said.
Adesina also thanked the Minister of Higher Education, the Governing Council, the Vice Chancellor and the Dean of the School of Agriculture of the University of The Gambia for their roles in the decision.
This latest recognition builds on the Gambia’s longstanding appreciation of Adesina’s contributions. In 2023, President Barrow conferred on him the country’s highest national honour, Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic, in acknowledgement of his exceptional service to The Gambia and Africa at large.
