Akinwumi Adesina: Startling profile of a shining star and rare gift

Akinwumi Akin Adesina, an Ogun State farmer’s son, has been on a journey of breaking bounds and stunning his world. Apparently, not that he has been lucky but has always been the star in intellectual prowess and unique leadership qualities and skills.

Presently, the President of the African Development Bank, Adesina is the first Nigerian to hold the post. From 1990 to 1995, he served as a senior economist at West African Rice Development Association (WARDA) in Bouake, Ivory Coast. He was Vice President of Policy and Partnerships for the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). He served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development under his then-boss, President Goodluck Jonathan.

None of those heights mentioned and those not mentioned attained by Adesina till the present day fa!led to feel the waves of his intellectual imparts and influence.

He is a graduate of the prestigious University of Ife with a Bachelor in Agricultural Economics with a First Class Honours and subsequently obtained his PhD in Agricultural Economics in 1988 from Purdue University in Indiana and won an Outstanding PhD Thesis for his research work.

After his subsequent advanced knowledge acquisition in the United States (U.S), his selection at the Rockefeller Foundation, a post-doctoral fellowship, Adesina was launched to the global stage of recognition.

Upon Adesina’s return in 2010, he deployed his experience on the soil of his fatherland. No wonder, against all odds, Nigeria survived food cr!ses that could have h!t her hard under President Jonathan due to many natural dis#sters in many countries.