Nigerian Agriculture minister Akinwumi Adesina has been
named Forbes Africa Person of the Year.

Dr Adesina was recognised for his reform of Nigeria’s
agriculture which has seen the country strengthen its
precarious food security situation and lift millions of small
farmers out of poverty.

The oil-rich country, seen as a case study in the so-called
resource curse, increased food production through his
Growth Enhancement Support Scheme by an estimated
nine million tonnes in the plan’s first year.

An innovative Electronic Wallet System - Africa's first -
further allowed the farmers to receive electronic vouchers
through their mobile phones for buying subsidised farm
inputs, in the process eliminating inefficiencies and the
middle man.

"I am truly honoured and humbled by this prestigious
award, which I dedicate to Africa’s farmers and the new
cadre of young business entrepreneurs who have
discovered the hidden gem for sustainable wealth creation on our continent – agriculture," Dr Adesina, now in his third year in office, said.

"My passion is using agricultural business and finance
innovations to turn Nigerian and African farmers and
agribusinesses into millionaires and billionaires. Nigeria
must become a global powerhouse in agriculture," he said.

Dr Adesina beat out Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote,
Nigerian banking mogul Jim Ovia, Zimbawean telecoms
investor Strive Masiyiwa and South African mining magnate Patrice Motsepe.

UN secretary-general Ban ki-moon has named Dr Adesina
as one of 17 global persons to help the world achieve the
Millennium Development Goals in a team that also includes Bill Gates.

Forbes is known for its list indexing the world’s richest
people. Its Africa business edition, launched in 2011, also
ranks the continent’s wealthiest every year.

Kenyan banker James Mwangi won last year’s award.

tpia@:
Who is he?

adino: Which State is he from? I hope it is not Osun (too cute for that State). Hope he is from Lagos sha.
This is how a Lagos Governor should be: PERFORMING, FOCUSED,ENERGETIC, SENSIBLE and BRILLIANT among other positives. But, sorry for his state sha because we the people of Nigeria need him as Agriculture Minister Till 2019. We can loan him out after that, Oga Adesina "You Are Blessed"

adino: Which State is he from? I hope it is not Osun (too cute for that State). Hope he is from Lagos sha.
This is how a Lagos Governor should be: PERFORMING, FOCUSED,ENERGETIC, SENSIBLE and BRILLIANT among other positives. But, sorry for his state sha because we the people of Nigeria need him as Agriculture Minister Till 2019. We can loan him out after that, Oga Adesina "You Are Blessed"

~Bluetooth:


First it was Adeyemi Michael Winning Grierson British Documentary Award and now Akinwunmi Adeshina winning the Forbes Africa person of the year, thank you guys. I'm proud of you.

Keep repping odua nation.

django1:

What did he do that qualified him for that honor.

Adejoro74:

GEJ-appointed man wins award. Without GEJ looking for him and engaging him he could not have made it. Congrats to Adesina and to GEJ

Adejoro74:

GEJ-appointed man wins award. Without GEJ looking for him and engaging him he could not have made it. Congrats to Adesina and to GEJ

~Bluetooth:


Stella Odua, Iweala and Allison Madueke had more presidential support than him if you are talking about Jonathan's factor in this. It's not always about noise but what you've got in your brain and that has paid off for him !

~Bluetooth:


First it was Adeyemi Michael Winning Grierson British Documentary Award and now Akinwunmi Adeshina winning the Forbes Africa person of the year, thank you guys. I'm proud of you.

Keep repping odua nation.

doncaster: Cassava bread breed. And some people are calling his oga clueless and retardingho.