President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today received Professor Ademola Adenle, a Nigerian scholar and sustainability expert who recently won the inaugural World Academy of Sciences–M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace.
President Tinubu congratulated Adenle for winning the award and for bringing glory to Nigeria.
He commended him for his work in the fields of agricultural innovation policy, biosciences, renewable energy, and public health, which focuses on sustainable solutions for rural and marginalised populations across Africa and beyond.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari (CON).
Professor Adenle made history as the first-ever recipient of this prestigious global honour, presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7, 2025, during the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi, India.
Widely described as a “mini Nobel Peace Prize”, the award was established by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in memory of the late Professor M.S. Swaminathan, the legendary agricultural scientist known as the “Father of India’s Green Revolution.” His pioneering work revolutionised India’s food systems and inspired generations of scientists across the developing world.
Professor Adenle, who currently serves as Senior Special Adviser on Agricultural Innovation in Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was recognised for his outstanding contributions to food security, climate justice, and the empowerment of vulnerable communities.
Prof. Adenle said he would soon launch the Women in Biosciences Initiative, which aims to enhance rural agricultural productivity through training, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
The program will also address malnutrition and waterborne diseases, and promote the adoption of renewable energy, particularly solar power, to reduce energy poverty. The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation across Africa and Asia, extending Professor Swaminathan’s enduring legacy of combining science with social equity.
The M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace recognises individuals from developing countries who have made transformative contributions to food security, sustainable agriculture, and peacebuilding.
In his address at the award ceremony, Prime Minister Modi praised Professor Adenle as “a beacon of hope” for his dedication to addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges.
