The University of The Gambia has renamed its School of Agriculture and Environmental Services in honour of former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, recognising his far-reaching impact on agricultural transformation and development across Africa.
The newly renamed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Services was unveiled by Gambian President, Adama Barrow, who described the honour as a tribute to Adesina’s visionary leadership and enduring legacy on the continent.
A statement released on Wednesday said the decision followed Adesina’s decade-long leadership at the AfDB from 2015 to 2025, during which the institution recorded unprecedented growth and global recognition. Under his stewardship, the bank’s capital base expanded from $93 billion to $318 billion, while maintaining its AAA credit rating and earning accolades for transparency and development impact.
Adesina’s flagship High 5s agenda—focused on powering Africa, boosting food production, industrialising economies, integrating the continent, and improving quality of life—was reported to have positively affected over 535 million people.
Central to his legacy is the Feed Africa Strategy, which helped strengthen food security and agricultural productivity for more than 100 million Africans, alongside the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation initiative that empowered millions of smallholder farmers.
In The Gambia, projects financed by the AfDB during Adesina’s tenure include a landmark bridge linking the country to Senegal, a development credited with cutting travel time, improving trade flows, and deepening regional integration.
The decision to rename the faculty was formally conveyed in a letter dated November 27, 2025, signed by the country’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, who praised Adesina’s role in driving economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development across Africa.
Reacting to the honour, Adesina described it as deeply humbling, saying it immortalises his commitment to transforming African agriculture and investing in human capital. He also expressed eagerness to visit The Gambia to witness what he called a “monumental development.”
The university said the gesture was intended not only to preserve Adesina’s legacy but also to inspire future generations of students to embrace innovation, resilience, and Africa-driven solutions to development challenges.
University of The Gambia Honours Adesina, Renames Agriculture Faculty After Him
