The CGIAR, a global research partnership dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems amid the climate crisis, has mourned the passing of Dr Kanayo F. Nwanze, former President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
In a statement, CGIAR described Dr Nwanze as a leader whose unwavering dedication profoundly impacted global food security.
The organisation also extended its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, adding that his legacy would continue to inspire agricultural research and development efforts worldwide.
Dr Nwanze’s tenure at IFAD was marked by his commitment to placing agriculture at the heart of international development, ensuring that smallholder farmers and rural communities had a voice in global discussions.
He was widely regarded as a mentor and visionary whose influence extended beyond his official roles.
Born in Nigeria, Dr Nwanze pursued a global academic journey, earning degrees from the University of Ibadan and Kansas State University in the United States.
His expertise in agricultural research and policy was widely recognised. He was a member of several scientific associations and had numerous publications to his name.
His contributions were acknowledged with honorary degrees from McGill University in Canada and the University of Warwick in the UK, as well as numerous honours from governments and international institutions.
Dr Nwanze was passionate about Africa’s development, once stating: “As many of you will know, I am an African born in Nigeria. And although my professional life has taken me to three other continents, Africa has, and will always have, a special place in my heart.”
More recently, he played a significant role in shaping CGIAR’s strategic direction, serving on its System Management Board, chairing the AfricaRice board, and co-chairing the Unified Governance Review committee in 2023. He also represented CGIAR at the UN Food Systems Summit.
His career, spanning more than four decades, included a pivotal tenure as Director-General of the Africa Rice Center (formerly WARDA).
There, he championed the development and promotion of New Rice for Africa (NERICA), a high-yield, drought- and pest-resistant variety designed to enhance food security across the continent.
