The Gambia Varsity Renames Agriculture School After Ex-AfDB President Adesina

The University of The Gambia has renamed its School of Agriculture and Environmental Services after former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to agricultural transformation, food security, and sustainable development across Africa.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that President Adama Barrow unveiled a plaque officially renaming the faculty the Dr. Akinwumi Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Services.

Speaking at the event, Barrow described the gesture as a tribute to Adesina’s visionary leadership and enduring impact on Africa’s development landscape.

Adesina served as President of the AfDB from 2015 to 2025, during which he championed the institution’s transformative High 5s agenda—Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Integrate Africa, Industrialise Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life of the People of Africa. AfDB data indicate that the initiatives positively impacted more than 535 million people across the continent.

According to the statement, the continental bank’s capital base expanded from $93 billion to $318 billion under Adesina’s leadership—the highest in its history—while the institution earned global recognition as the world’s most transparent financial institution and the best multilateral development bank, retaining its AAA credit rating from international agencies.

A cornerstone of Adesina’s legacy is the Feed Africa Strategy, which helped boost agricultural production and improve food security for over 104 million Africans. In The Gambia, the AfDB financed a landmark bridge linking the country with Senegal, ending decades of reliance on ferry crossings and significantly reducing travel time while enhancing trade and regional integration.

The university disclosed that the renaming decision was conveyed in a letter dated November 27, 2025, signed by the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez.

“Your tenure as President of the African Development Bank has been transformative, driving economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development across Africa,” Gomez said.

He added that Adesina’s leadership in rolling out the Feed Africa Strategy and the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative revolutionised agricultural productivity, empowered millions of smallholder farmers, and strengthened climate resilience.

The statement also acknowledged Adesina’s earlier reforms as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, noting that they laid a strong foundation for modernising the sector, boosting food production, and expanding economic opportunities.

By renaming the faculty in his honour, the University of The Gambia said it aims to immortalise Adesina’s legacy and inspire students to emulate his vision, determination, and belief in the transformative power of African talent and innovation.

In a letter of appreciation to President Barrow, Adesina described the honour as deeply humbling.

“It is with great humility and a deep sense of gratitude that I express my immense appreciation for the exceptional honour you have conferred on me with the renaming of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the University of The Gambia,” he said.

He added that the recognition immortalises his commitment to agricultural transformation in Africa and expressed his eagerness to visit The Gambia to witness what he described as a “monumental development” that would remain “ever green” in his memory.

Adesina also thanked the Minister of Higher Education, the university’s Governing Council, the Vice-Chancellor, and the Dean of the School of Agriculture.

In 2023, President Barrow conferred on Adesina The Gambia’s highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic, in recognition of his contributions to Gambia and continental development.