The University of The Gambia has renamed its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in honour of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the outgoing president of the African Development Bank.
President Adama Barrow unveiled a plaque formally designating the faculty as the Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
The university said the change recognises Adesina’s leadership in boosting food security and farming projects across Africa while he led the AfDB from 2015 to 2025.
A statement released with the announcement noted the decision had been communicated earlier by the Gambian education minister.
Adesina responded in a letter of thanks, saying, “It is with great humility and a deep sense of gratitude that I express my immense appreciation for the renaming of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in my honour.”
He added that the gesture was “a rare honour which immortalises my name in recognition of my leadership in supporting the transformation of agriculture in Africa.”
During his decade at the AfDB, Adesina championed the bank’s “High 5” agenda — Feed Africa, Light Up and Power Africa, Industrialise Africa, Integrate Africa and Improve Quality of Life — programs the bank says touched hundreds of millions of people and mobilised large sums for development projects.
Supporters say those policies helped expand farming programs, infrastructure and power projects in several countries.
The honour follows earlier recognition from The Gambia: President Barrow awarded Adesina the country’s highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic, during a 2023 visit.
University officials said the renaming is meant to inspire students and highlight the role of agriculture in national development.
