The World Food Prize Foundation has announced the appointment of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), to its prestigious Council of Advisors.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Foundation’s President, Mashal Husain, in New York.
Adesina, whose second and final five-year term at the AfDB ends in September, was the 2017 recipient of the World Food Prize.
“President Adesina embodies the values and vision of Dr. Norman Borlaug—transforming bold ideas into tangible impact,” Husain stated.
“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 Council of Advisors, appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, includes former Heads of State and Government, ministers, and global leaders in agricultural science, education, research, and policy. The council offers strategic insights to help the Foundation advance its mission and uphold the legacy of its founder, Dr. Borlaug.
Adesina expressed his gratitude for the appointment, saying:
“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 also 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.”
An agricultural expert and globally recognised development economist, Adesina received the World Food Prize in 2017 for more than two decades of work to advance food security in Africa.
He previously served as Vice President for Policy and Partnerships at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015. During his ministerial tenure, he reformed the fertilizer distribution system, scaled up food production, and improved smallholder farmers’ access to credit.
Elected as the AfDB’s first Nigerian President in 2015, Adesina championed the bank’s “High 5” agenda: Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. Under his leadership, the bank spearheaded landmark investments in infrastructure, youth entrepreneurship, and agricultural transformation.
In 2013, he was named Forbes Africa Person of the Year.
Commenting on the appointment, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and World Food Prize Foundation CEO, Tom Vilsack, said:
“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 driving 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.”
Adesina holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and will assume his advisory role after completing his tenure at the AfDB in September.
The World Food Prize is a globally recognized award that honors individuals who have significantly advanced the quality, quantity, or availability of food worldwide. Established by Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, the prize has been awarded to 55 distinguished individuals and is a highlight of the annual Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, which focuses on pressing global food and hunger issues.
