The Gambian government has officially renamed the University of The Gambia’s School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences after Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, the former president of the African Development Bank (AfDB). President Adama Barrow unveiled a commemorative plaque that formally designates the faculty the Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, recognising his contributions to agricultural transformation, food security and economic development across Africa.
Akinwumi Adesina’s impact on African agriculture
During his decade-long leadership of the AfDB from 2015 to 2025, Adesina championed the Bank’s High 5s agenda, which included efforts to Feed Africa and to Integrate Africa. AfDB data cited by Gambian officials says those initiatives reached more than 535 million people on the continent. The Feed Africa strategy and the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme were credited with improving yields, strengthening climate resilience and empowering millions of smallholder farmers.
Under Adesina, the AfDB also expanded its financial capacity, increasing its capital base from $93 billion to $318 billion. The institution earned global recognition for transparency and strong credit ratings, achievements Gambian officials noted when announcing the renaming. The ministerial letter formalising the decision, dated 27 November 2025 and signed by Professor Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, described Adesina’s presidency as transformative for the continent.
The new name recognises both policy leadership and tangible projects. In The Gambia, Adesina’s tenure is associated with the AfDB-financed Senegambia Bridge, a long-standing national priority that has cut travel times between The Gambia and Senegal and supported cross-border trade and regional integration. Gambian authorities said the bridge and other investments have delivered measurable benefits to local communities.
In his letter of appreciation to President Barrow, Adesina called the honour “rare and exceptional” and expressed his gratitude to the university leadership and Gambian government. He said he looks forward to visiting The Gambia to see the renamed faculty in person. The recognition follows a 2023 award from President Barrow that made Adesina Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic, one of The Gambia’s highest national honours.
University officials and the Ministry of Higher Education highlighted the decision as a statement of confidence in agricultural education and research. They said naming the faculty after a figure associated with continental agricultural policy and finance will inspire students and staff and strengthen links between academic research and development practice.
The gesture also underscores broader regional ties. Officials from The Gambia framed the naming as part of a shared effort to advance food security, boost rural incomes and improve climate resilience across West Africa. Observers say such recognitions can deepen cooperation between national institutions and continental development agencies, helping to align university programmes with investment priorities.
As the Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences opens under its new name, Gambian authorities and academic leaders will face the task of turning recognition into results: expanding applied research, forging stronger partnerships with farmers and donors, and training the next generation of agricultural specialists to sustain the gains attributed to recent AfDB initiatives.
Key Takeaways:
- Gambia renames the University of The Gambia’s agriculture faculty in honour of Akinwumi Adesina.
- Adesina’s AfDB tenure advanced the Feed Africa strategy and TAAT, reportedly improving food security for millions.
- The AfDB financed the Senegambia Bridge, enhancing regional trade and integration.
- The recognition builds on a 2023 national honour and cements Adesina’s legacy in African agricultural development.
