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The World Food Prize Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of 2017 World Food Prize Laureate and President of the African Development Bank Akinwumi Adesina to the Foundation’s Council of Advisors.
“President Adesina embodies the values and vision of Dr. Norman Borlaug—transforming bold ideas into tangible impact,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “His lifelong commitment to agricultural innovation, sustainability and economic development across Africa makes him an extraordinary addition to our Council of Advisors. We are honored to welcome him back to the Foundation in this new role.”
The Council of Advisors, appointed by the World Food Prize Foundation Board of Directors, include former heads of state and government ministers, and leaders in food and agricultural science, education, research and policy. They provide the Foundation Board and staff with insights and advice on advancing the mission of the organization and Dr. Norman Borlaug’s vision for the World Food Prize Foundation.
“I am deeply honored to join the Council of Advisors of the World Food Prize Foundation,” said Adesina. “Dr. Norman Borlaug was not only a mentor, but a personal inspiration whose passion for ending hunger shaped my own journey. As a Laureate, I carry his legacy with me, and I look forward to working with the Foundation to advance bold, science-driven solutions that uplift farmers, feed nations and transform our world.”
Dr. Adesina is an agriculture expert and a globally recognized development economist who received the 2017 World Food Prize for his more than two decades of leadership and progress while serving with the Rockefeller Foundation, as Vice President, Policy and Partnerships at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and as Minister of Agriculture of Nigeria.
Dr. Adesina has been at the forefront of galvanizing political will to transform African agriculture through initiatives to: expand agricultural production, thwart corruption in the Nigerian fertilizer industry and exponentially increase the availability of credit for smallholder farmers across the African continent.
In 2015, he was elected the President of the African Development Bank, the first Nigerian, serving 10 years and spearheading the “High 5” Agenda, which was to light up and power Africa, feed Africa, industrialize Africa, integrate Africa, and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. During his tenure, he oversaw major funding initiatives for infrastructure, agriculture and youth entrepreneurship across the continent. In 2013, he was named the Forbes African Person of the Year.
“Dr. Adesina has long been a trailblazer in global agriculture and economic development,” said Tom Vilsack, CEO, World Food Prize Foundation. “His leadership has reshaped the landscape of African agriculture, from fighting corruption to empowering farmers and fueling sustainable growth. Sharing Dr. Borlaug’s conviction that food is a powerful tool for peace and progress, Dr. Adesina brings both deep expertise and a shared moral compass to the Council of Advisors.”
Adesina has a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Purdue University and will finish his second and final term as President of the African Development Bank in September, when he will start in his role on the Council.