In a significant move to honour a pan-African icon, the University of The Gambia has officially renamed one of its key faculties after the renowned Nigerian agricultural economist and former President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.
A Legacy Etched in Stone: The Unveiling Ceremony
The historic event took place on Wednesday, with Gambian President Adama Barrow personally unveiling a plaque to formally designate the institution as the Dr Akinwumi Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. The ceremony was a testament to The Gambia's deep appreciation for Adesina's monumental work across the continent.
President Barrow, during the unveiling, stated that the renaming reflects the nation's gratitude for Adesina's "visionary leadership and lasting contributions to Africa’s agricultural transformation." This gesture, communicated in an official letter dated November 27, 2025, by Gambia's Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, aims to inspire a new generation of students.
Celebrating a Decade of Transformative Leadership at AfDB
The honour specifically recognises Adesina's exceptional tenure as President of the African Development Bank from 2015 to 2025. Under his stewardship, the bank underwent a period of remarkable growth and impact.
His leadership legacy is highlighted by several key achievements:
- The launch of the High 5s strategic agenda, focusing on lighting up, feeding, industrialising, integrating Africa, and improving the quality of life for its people. Bank data confirms these initiatives impacted over 535 million people.
- The bank's capital base skyrocketed from $93 billion to a historic $318 billion, all while maintaining a pristine AAA credit rating.
- The pioneering Feed Africa Strategy, which Adesina spearheaded, is credited with providing food security for more than 104 million Africans and revolutionising agricultural productivity.
- He also championed the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative.
For The Gambia specifically, Adesina's AfDB financed the landmark Senegambia Bridge. This critical infrastructure has drastically cut travel time between The Gambia and Senegal, boosting trade and regional integration.
An Honour That Inspires Future Generations
In his appreciation letter to President Barrow, Dr Adesina accepted the honour with "great humility and deep gratitude." He described the recognition as exceptional.
The university administration stated that the renaming is more than a tribute; it is a strategic move to motivate students to emulate Adesina's vision, determination, and unwavering commitment to Africa's development. This is not the first national honour bestowed upon Adesina by The Gambia. In 2023, President Barrow conferred on him the country's highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic.
By immortalising his name in its academic structure, the University of The Gambia ensures that Dr Akinwumi Adesina's legacy of transforming African agriculture and driving sustainable economic development will continue to inspire scholars and leaders for decades to come.
