The President of the African Development Bank, (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has won the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate with a $250,000 prize for driving change in African agriculture for over 25 years and improving food security for millions across the continent.
According to Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President of the World Food Prize Foundation:
“Awarded by the World Food Prize Foundation, the $250,000 prize honors Nigerian Dr. Adesina for his leading role over the past two decades in: significantly expanding food production in Nigeria; introducing initiatives to exponentially increase the availability of credit for smallholder farmers across the African continent; and galvanizing the political will to transform African agriculture.
The selection of President Akinwumi Adesina as the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate reflects both his breakthrough achievements as Minister of Agriculture of Nigeria and his critical role in the development of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). It also gives further impetus to his profound vision for enhancing nutrition, uplifting smallholder farmers, and inspiring the next generation of Africans as they confront the challenges of the 21st century.”
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina acknowledging the Prize said: