The University of Gambia has renamed the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Services after Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to agricultural transformation, food security and sustainable development across Africa.
The decision was announced in a statement released on Wednesday, noting that Chancellor Adama Barrow unveiled a plaque officially changing the name of the faculty to the Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Graduate School of Agriculture and Environmental Services.
Mr. Barrow, who spoke at the event, described the gesture as a tribute to Adesina’s visionary leadership and lasting impact on Africa’s development landscape.
Mr. Adesina served as President of the AfDB from 2015 to 2025, during which time he championed the agency’s transformative High Five agenda: “Illuminating and Empowering Africa,” “Nourishing Africa,” “Integrating Africa,” “Industrializing Africa,” and “Improving the Quality of Life for Africa’s People.” According to AfDB data, the initiative has positively impacted more than 535 million people across the continent.
Under Adesina’s leadership, Continental Bank’s capital base expanded from $93 billion to $318 billion, an all-time high, while the bank was globally recognized as the world’s most transparent financial institution and the best multilateral development bank, maintaining its AAA credit rating from international organizations, according to the statement.
A cornerstone of Adesina’s legacy is the Feed Africa Strategy, which helped expand agricultural production and improve food security for more than 104 million Africans. In The Gambia, AfDB funded a landmark bridge connecting The Gambia and Senegal, ending decades of dependence on ferry crossings and significantly reducing travel times while enhancing trade and regional integration.
The university revealed that the decision to change the name was communicated in a letter dated November 27, 2025, signed by Professor Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.
“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 African Agricultural Transformation Technologies (TAAT) initiative has revolutionized agricultural productivity, empowered millions of smallholder farmers and strengthened their resilience to climate change.
The statement also acknowledged Mr. Adesina’s previous reforms as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, noting that he had laid a strong foundation for modernizing the agricultural sector, boosting food production and expanding economic opportunities.
The University of Gambia said that by renaming the faculty in Mr. Adesina’s honor, it aims to immortalize his legacy and inspire students to emulate his vision, determination and belief in the transformative power of African talent and innovation.
In his letter of appreciation to President Barrow, Mr. Adesina said the honor was extremely humbling.
“It is with great humility and deep gratitude that I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you all for the extraordinary honor you have bestowed upon me on the renaming of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of the Gambia,” he said.
He added that the award immortalizes his commitment to Africa’s agricultural transformation, and expressed his eagerness to visit The Gambia and witness the “monumental development” that will remain “forever green” in his memory.
Mr. Adesina also thanked the Minister of Higher Education, the University Management Council, the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean of Agriculture.
In 2023, President Barrow awarded Adesina the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic, Gambia’s highest national honor, in recognition of his contributions to the development of the Gambia and the continent.
