Akinwumi Adesina named 2013 Forbes Africa person of the year

Akinwumi Adesina – Nigeria’s minister for Agriculture. PHOTO/Getty Images

Nigeria’s minister for Agriculture Akinwumi Adesina, was earlier this week named 2013 Forbes Africa person of the year.

Adesina has put in place initiatives to modernize Nigeria’s agriculture in a bid to diversify the economy away from oil and empower millions of rural farmers.

In January this year, he announced a scheme to hand out 10 million devices to farmers to “drive an agriculture revolution” so they can find out the latest market information. The devices are also used by farmers to obtain vouchers for seeds and fertilizer.

In his acceptance speech, Adesina said “my goal is to make as many millionaires, maybe even billionaires, from agriculture as possible.”

Adesina was chosen ahead of some of Africa’s most prominent business people and entrepreneurs including: Nigerians Aliko Dangote and Jim Ovia; South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe; and Zimbabwe’s Strive Masiyiwa.

Last year’s award was presented to Kenya’s James Mwangi CEO of Equity bank.