President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Prof. Ademola Adenle, a sustainability scholar and policy expert, for emerging winner of the inaugural World Academy of Sciences–M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace.
Tinubu, who received Adenle at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, described the scholar’s achievement as a source of national pride and a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in global research and innovation.
Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
He said the president commended Adenle for his contributions to agricultural innovation, biosciences, renewable energy and public health, stressing that his work had brought honour to the country.
“President Tinubu congratulated Adenle for winning the award and for bringing glory to Nigeria,” Onanuga said.
“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 Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, also attended the meeting.
Adenle, who serves as Senior Special Adviser on Agricultural Innovation in the ministry, became the first recipient of the award, which was presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Aug. 7, during the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi.
The award, regarded as a “mini Nobel Peace Prize,” was instituted in honour of the late Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, known as the “Father of India’s Green Revolution.”
Adenle was recognised for his contributions to food security, climate justice, and the empowerment of vulnerable communities.
He also announced plans to launch the Women in Biosciences Initiative to enhance rural agricultural productivity through training, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
According to him, the initiative will address malnutrition and waterborne diseases and promote renewable energy, particularly solar power, to reduce energy poverty across Africa and Asia, in collaboration with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
Onanuga quoted the president as saying that Adenle’s work exemplified how science and innovation could drive sustainable development and social equity, adding that the Federal Government would continue to support research and agricultural transformation.
During the award presentation, Prime Minister Modi described Adenle as “a beacon of hope” for his dedication to addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges.