In a significant gesture of pan-African recognition, a leading West African university has honoured a distinguished Nigerian by naming a key faculty after him. The University of The Gambia has officially renamed its School of Agriculture and Environmental Services as the Dr. Akinwumi Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Services.
A Presidential Unveiling for a Continental Icon
The formal unveiling ceremony was presided over by The Gambia's President, Adama Barrow, who revealed the commemorative plaque. In his remarks, President Barrow lauded Dr. Adesina's visionary leadership and his profound, lasting impact on the entire African continent. This renaming serves as a permanent tribute to the Nigerian's work in driving agricultural transformation and sustainable development.
The university's governing council stated that the decision, formalized in an official letter dated November 27, 2025, was taken to acknowledge Adesina's monumental contributions to agricultural transformation, food security, and broader economic development across Africa. The letter was signed by The Gambia's Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez.
Celebrating a Legacy of Transformative Leadership
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina's legacy is deeply intertwined with Africa's progress. His tenure as the President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) from 2015 to 2025 was marked by historic achievements. He spearheaded the bank's High 5s strategic agenda, which focused on lighting up Africa, feeding Africa, integrating the continent, industrializing it, and improving the quality of life for its people.
Under his guidance, the AfDB's capital base experienced unprecedented growth, soaring from $93 billion to $318 billion, the highest in the institution's history. The bank also garnered global acclaim, being named the world's most transparent financial institution and the best multilateral development bank, all while maintaining its top-tier AAA credit rating.
The Feed Africa Strategy and Tangible Impact
A cornerstone of Adesina's work was the Feed Africa Strategy. This ambitious initiative revolutionized agricultural production and enhanced food security for an estimated 104 million people across the continent. Data from the AfDB indicates that its programmes under Adesina positively impacted over 535 million Africans.
The Gambia itself felt the direct benefits of Adesina's leadership at the AfDB. The bank financed the construction of a landmark bridge connecting The Gambia with Senegal. This critical infrastructure project, a dream since the 1960s, drastically reduced travel time, boosted cross-border trade, and strengthened regional integration.
Inspiring Future Generations of African Leaders
In its statement, the University of The Gambia emphasized that the renaming is more than an honour; it is a tool for inspiration. The institution aims to immortalize Adesina's legacy and motivate its students to emulate his vision, determination, and unwavering passion for Africa's development.
The university also acknowledged Adesina's foundational work as Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture, where his reforms modernized the sector, boosted food production, and created economic opportunities, setting a strong precedent for his later continental work.
In a heartfelt response, Dr. Adesina described the honour as "deeply humbling." In a letter of appreciation to President Barrow, he expressed his immense gratitude, calling it a "rare honour which immortalises my name." He also stated he looks forward to visiting The Gambia to witness this "monumental development." This is not the first Gambian honour for Adesina; in 2023, President Barrow conferred on him the nation's highest award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic.
