The World Food Prize Foundation has announced the appointment of Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), to its Council of Advisors.
The announcement was made by the Foundation’s President, Mashal Husain, in a statement issued in New York and shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Dr Adesina, who concludes his decade-long second term at the AfDB in September, previously received the World Food Prize in 2017 in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to agricultural development.
Commenting on the appointment, Husain noted that Adesina exemplifies the ideals and transformative spirit of the Foundation’s founder, Dr Norman Borlaug. According to Husain, “President Adesina embodies the values and vision of Dr Norman Borlaug—transforming bold ideas into tangible impact. His lifelong commitment to agricultural innovation, sustainability and economic development across Africa makes him an extraordinary addition to our Council of Advisors. We are honored to welcome him back to the Foundation in this new role.”
The Foundation’s Council of Advisors is composed of distinguished figures including former heads of state, ministers, and global leaders in agricultural science, education, research, and policy. Appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, they serve as a strategic resource, providing guidance to the board and staff on ways to further the organization’s mission and Borlaug’s legacy of agricultural advancement.
Reacting to the appointment, Adesina expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honoured to join the Council of Advisors of the World Food Prize Foundation. Dr Norman Borlaug was not only a mentor, but a personal inspiration whose passion for ending hunger shaped my own journey. As a Laureate, I carry his legacy with me, and I look forward to working with the Foundation to advance bold, science-driven solutions that uplift farmers, feed nations and transform our world.”
Recognized as both an expert in agriculture and a prominent development economist, Adesina’s influence in global agriculture spans decades. Before assuming leadership at the AfDB in 2015, he served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015.
His tenure witnessed major reforms, including the elimination of corruption in Nigeria’s fertilizer distribution system and increased access to credit for smallholder farmers. Prior to his ministerial role, he held key leadership positions with the Rockefeller Foundation and served as Vice President for Policy and Partnerships at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
As AfDB President, Adesina became the first Nigerian to lead the institution. He championed the “High 5” development priorities—goals that aimed to electrify Africa, feed the continent, promote industrialization, deepen regional integration, and enhance the quality of life for Africans. His leadership facilitated major investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and youth entrepreneurship across Africa. In 2013, he was recognized as the Forbes African Person of the Year for his role in agricultural transformation.
Tom Vilsack, CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation, praised the appointment by emphasizing Adesina’s longstanding impact in global agricultural and economic policy. Vilsack remarked, “Dr Adesina has long been a trailblazer in global agriculture and economic development.
His leadership has reshaped the landscape of African agriculture, from fighting corruption to empowering farmers and fueling sustainable growth. Sharing Dr. Borlaug’s conviction that food is a powerful tool for peace and progress, Dr. Adesina brings both deep expertise and a shared moral compass to the Council of Advisors.”
Adesina holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. He will begin his role on the Council of Advisors after concluding his presidency at the AfDB in September.
The World Food Prize honors individuals who have significantly enhanced the quality, quantity, or accessibility of food globally. It was established by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Norman E. Borlaug, whose work led to increased agricultural productivity during the Green Revolution.
Since its inception, the prize has been awarded to 55 prominent figures, with recipients celebrated during the annual Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, a global forum dedicated to addressing pressing food security challenges.
What you should know
Dr Akinwumi Adesina, a renowned agricultural economist and outgoing President of the African Development Bank, has been appointed to the World Food Prize Foundation’s Council of Advisors.
He will assume this new role in September after concluding his decade of transformative leadership at the AfDB.
