Before President Goodluck Jonathan released the list of his ministerial nominees in early July Nigerians were anxious to see which technocrats he was bringing on board to help deliver on his promise of national transformation especially in key national sectors. His nomination of Dr Akinwumi Adesina – agricultural economist, academic, development thinker, entrepreneur, research consultant and international icon – for the strategic agriculture ministry drew positive attention in various quarters. And by the time Adesina appeared for screening before the Senate, his expertise, achievements and vision for agriculture in Nigeria left no one in doubt that this was a perfect choice.. Educational/Professional Background
Akinwumi Adesina began his agricultural journey in the 1970s at Obafemi Awolowo University- then University of Ife- where he studied agricultural economics. Nigeria’s oil era was already underway, and agriculture was losing its place as the mainstay of the economy. In an era when industrialization and modernization had become the buzzwords, agriculture was considered retrograde and students of agriculture were sometimes derided as “old school”. Yet, Adesina’s unwavering passion for agriculture kept him focused. His dedication and hard work paid off when he graduated with a First Class Honours. He went on to earn a PhD in agricultural economics from Purdue University, USA.
An agricultural economist by discipline, young Adesina particularly explored and thrived in the world of agricultural research. He held various research positions at the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA), and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Combining his expertise as a researcher and an economist, he also actively engaged the international development world as an Africa spokesperson in the field of agriculture, serving as a senior scientist for the Rockefeller Foundation, and later leading the agri-entreprise program at the foundation, aimed at raising the incomes and improving the practices of rural farmers.
The Model
Over the years, Adesina has proven himself to be a great model not only to those seeking a career in agriculture but to many Nigerians – young and old – in pursuit of great dreams. Possessing strong leadership qualities, he has demonstrated remarkable leadership in different fields, distinguishing himself as part of Africa’s Cheetah Generation.
