Boss Of The Week

Olugbenga Shoyele: Erudite Justice Committed to Openness, Transparency, Accountability

Published

3 years ago

June 17, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

With the exploits of the Nigerian-born Kaycee Madu, who is the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta, Canada, the Nigerian community has toed the line, and continues to dish out one exploit after another. The latest in the growing list of Nigerians making waves in Canada is Barrister Olugbenga Shoyele, who was appointed a new judge to head the Provincial Court of Alberta. The position was a privilege opened to lawyers with at least 10 years of experience at the bar, alongside several others who met the criteria, and Shoyele beat the benchmark to merit the exalted position after being thoroughly examined and interviewed. The feat speaks volume about his personality, background and impeccable career profile. Madu described Shoyele and the others as representing the “diversity present in Alberta and will help increase access to justice for Albertans”.

Nigerian-born Olugbenga obtained his Bachelor of Law and Masters in Law from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1980 and 1984 respectively. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy of Law also in 1995 in Nigeria. In 2003, he obtained another Masters of Law from the University of Alberta. Though he worked as a Law Professor in Nigeria, he is on an appointment to Edmonton Criminal Division where he currently practices as a major counsel for the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench.

ROAD TO APPOINTMENT AS PROVINCIAL JUSTICE

Sequel to his applications, Shoyele was first considered by the Judicial Council, which recommends applicants to the Provincial Court Nominating Committee. He was selected by the committee, which proceeded to interview him, and made recommendations to the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.

After seating over the round table, Sholeye’s focus, intelligence and go-getting abilities were recognised, and he was shortlisted among those recommended for appointment. Olugbenga’s appointment took effect from July 12, 2021.

However, during the week, Shoyele was officially sworn in, and a get-together was held in his honour to mark the gigantic achievement, where he went down memory lane to tell the story of his sojourn in the citadel of law and justice systems. The story is contained in his well worded speech, punctuated with gracious appreciations as represented below:

SHOYELE’S APPRECIATIVE SPEECH

I start with an acknowledgement that the land on which we gather today for this ceremony is Treaty 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and home for many Indigenous Peoples, including Cree, Saulteaux Niisitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, and Nakota Sioux; and I do this in recognition of their presence both in the past and the present.

I personally recognize that it is a great honour to be appointed to the “People’s Court” in Alberta joining a team of erudite, respectable, and accomplished honourable Justices of the Alberta Court of Justice, who interface directly with a significant majority of the community members across our Province.

I am very grateful to God — using human democratic institutions — for providing me with the privilege and opportunity to serve the public in the Province of Alberta on this platform. I believe that the Latin phrase: “vox populi, vox dei” – meaning the voice of the people is the voice of God – essentially underpins the legitimacy of judicial appointments in democratic societies like Canada.

I am absolutely humbled by (and very thankful to every single person in this courtroom for) your presence here today because I have no doubts that you have all made some sacrifices in diverse ways to come and spend your precious time with me during this momentous and by some description – historic – swearing-in ceremony.

A number of my friends have asked whether this is a swearing-in of my appointment that happened about two years ago. The simple answer that I responded with was: Yes! I clarified that I’ve had the official or formal one that substantively conferred the authority to act judicially done with my Assistant Chief Justice; and that the ceremonial one happening today is the one where, universally, each new justice being sworn in has the unique opportunity to present the different paths that they have traveled to get to this particular point in their careers as well as appreciate all those who have participated in that journey and/or contributed to the achievement.

This swearing in ceremony, coming after a host of others that I have had the opportunity to observe and participate in — either unobtrusively as part of the procession or actively as a representative of the APJA — has a ton of benefits coming with it. First, its intentional timing is apparently pressure abating. Secondly, the timing also provided me space to explore having my international-based relatives and friends be present at the event. Their presence, as you can all see, is manifested by the colourful, sartorial elegance on display today. Finally, and more interestingly, the June timing comes with the typically abbreviated tropical, summer weather in Edmonton, Alberta. Accordingly, I humbly submit to this honourable court (and audience) that my timing of this ceremony is obviously the bargain to beat. I will concede that the strength of that proposition has been mildly impacted by the air quality index level announced by Environment and Climate Change Canada for today.

Rather than postulating the philosophy and principles of law, which I believe a majority of this audience is familiar with either profoundly or broadly, my speech today is more of a personal story laden with (immense) gratitude.

The significance of my appointment to the Bench in Alberta — and conceivably in Canada — remains, frankly speaking, inescapable in its symbolism as well as effect. It is a positive reflection of the welcoming environment in this beautiful province for people from various continental, national and ethnic origins or backgrounds. It encouragingly demonstrates, with sparkle, the ongoing promotion and actualization of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism. It acknowledges possibilities and emphasizes hope for a better future for all in the community that I conspicuously and indisputably belong. The broad reference to “community” is intentional, as I want everyone who sees themselves in me — that is, physically and experientially — to individually draw that conclusion and extract inspiration from this occasion. For increased specificity, that community I have referenced includes the BIPOC demographic (a recently evolved acronym for: Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour); it also encompasses internationally trained lawyers in our Province and across Canada — a country widely perceived as the land of dreams, possibilities, and their realizations.

At the expense of reiteration, I was born in Nigeria, obtained my first set of law degrees – i.e undergraduate and postgraduate degrees – in the same country. Subsequently, I embarked on the professional and academic challenges of re-qualifying in Canada as an internationally trained lawyer; as well as obtaining additional postgraduate degree in law. That re-qualification process was remarkably humbling for me as the table turned for the erstwhile professor of law who suddenly became a student of law all over again. In this regard, I must acknowledge the critical contribution of Professor Lewis Klar, who — during his tenure as the Faculty Dean — materially sparked my interest in coming to Alberta by offering me a visiting opportunity as a sabbatical scholar at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law, while I was a law professor in Nigeria. Thank you, Professor Klar in absentia.

On my arrival in Edmonton, when I started contemplating my future in Canada, it rapidly became clear to me that I had no discernible roadmap on how to integrate into the legal community in Canada, and more specifically in the province of Alberta, as the National Mobility Agreement which enables lawyers to transfer easily between common law provinces in Canada was not in existence when I was undergoing that process. I had no precedent to follow. The situation was daunting. I had no mentor with my similar experience to consult. It was my fortuitous contact with Justice June Ross that illuminated my path to becoming a member of the legal profession in this province and essentially in the country. She was then the Associate Dean of Law (Academic) at the University of Alberta. She patiently counselled me on the process and imbued me with the required courage to braze the challenges around re-qualifying as a legal practitioner in Canada and as a member of the Law Society of Alberta. That narrative briefly captures the origin of my interest in, love of and commitment to this great Province. Thank you, Justice Ross.

This personal story — which has its genesis on the African continent — includes my nuclear family’s exodus to Canada. The story is the quintessential crystallization of the often repeated axiom that says: “It takes a village to raise a child.” That aphorism itself strikes a particularly resounding chord in my case — given its ostensible African provenance —when I consider the numerous individuals who have been part of my journey and contributed in no small measures to my personal and professional evolution since I arrived at the shores of this country up to the announcement of my appointment as a Justice of the Alberta Court of Justice.

From the professional angle – I acknowledge the following law firms, their principals, partners and associates: James H Brown and Associates – especially Jim Brown, the founding Principal – as well as Snyder and Associates LLP (being law firms that combinedly provided me with an enriched articling opportunity and experience in those early times when clerkship opportunity for internationally trained lawyers was rarer than gemstones); Sharek Logan van Leenen LLP (particularly Justice Gord Sharek and David van Leenen — who offered me the opportunity to start practice in Administrative Law as a specialized area of law that is of paramount interest for me); and Brownlee LLP (where my practice interest in administrative law as Research Lawyer fully blossomed.

I move on to salute Justice Steve Hillier of the Alberta Court of King’s Bench, Justices Sheila Greckol and Jane Fagnan of the Alberta Court of Appeal, who were the “door-opening” interviewers that were directly responsible for my recruitment as Legal Counsel at Alberta Court of King’s Bench [ABKB].

In my role as a former KB Legal Counsel, I have worked with and for a considerable number of those sitting on the dais for the ceremony today. And I can confidently assert without fear of contradiction, that they embody, as Alberta’s judiciary, the top-notch brains drawn from the brilliant legal community of our province. I am indeed extremely grateful for your attendance at the ceremony today.

The ABKB operates in a highly collegial environment. And I thoroughly enjoyed working there with its outstanding judicial complement, stellar Legal Counsel Team, energetic judicial assistants and brilliant judicial clerks. The KB Justices and LCs provided a conducive, non-toxic, and accepting atmosphere that made me look forward everyday – and with unbridled enthusiasm – to showing up for another productive workday “in-person” (pre-pandemic).

While it is simply impractical for me to exhaustively mention the names of all justices, judicial officers and staff, who I have worked with for the duration of my career as Legal Counsel at the Alberta Court of King’s Bench and briefly at the Alberta Court of Appeal, I am compelled to comment that the Edmonton KB Legal Counsel “dream team” consisted of brilliant legal minds. I have had the good fortune of working with exceptionally gifted members of the group such as: Shelagh Lobay (now retired), Peggy Kobly KC, Donald Netolitzky KC, Stella Varvis and Jennifer Taylor (alongside our Resolution Counsel – Brenda Kaminski, KC and Michelle Pidhirney, KC) and in later years Thomas Druyan, Robyn Mitchell and Michelle Roy. The affable working environment in Edmonton was harmoniously coordinated by Diana Lowe KC (now retired former Exec LC), and currently Heather Manweiller).

They have all helped in sharpening my understanding of the law through the regular biweekly and monthly meetings we held as court lawyers, interacting with our highly intelligent articling clerks recruited annually.

As can be gleaned from my previous comments, I also had a transforming stint and experience as Legal Counsel at the Alberta Court of Appeal where I worked directly with Justice Costigan and our other highly respected appeal justices. A typical day as Legal Counsel to Justice Costigan commenced early with penetrating brainstorming on core legal issues. During that time, I was — of course — also privileged to know and work closely with the ABCA Legal Counsel Team in Edmonton, being my base location. These Legal Counsel Team members, both individually and corporately, have never ceased to amaze me with their legendary intellectual brilliance and attention to granular details that are constantly engaged in the appeal matters they regularly deal with. Your sterling contributions to the administration of justice in our Province is highly commendable.

It is trite knowledge that the University of Alberta, over the years, has contributed immeasurably to the legal community in Canada at the local, provincial and national levels. I am indisputably one of the beneficiaries of that great institution’s countless contributions to the society. In that vein, I am particularly obliged to the entire team of tenured professors, adjunct professors, sessional instructors and staff — past and present — in the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta, who have directly and indirectly contributed to making this day possible. I would like to acknowledge Professor David Percy, Professor Phil Bryden, Professor Linda Reif, Dean Barbara Billingsley, Justice Tami Friesen, and Maureen Maguire, KC, to mention a few. Again, if I have not included your name in this short list, I passionately plead for your understanding as the constraints of time wouldn’t permit me to reel out all deserving names individually. I wish to reiterate, nevertheless, that my inability to mention you specifically by name today does not in any way diminish your immense contributions to my story.

To my nuclear family members, I acknowledge and hail your courage in sacrificially rallying around the dream of leaving the relative comfort we had enjoyed at the University community in Jos, Nigeria to explore the then adventurous, unknown and uncertain future in Canada. That departure had an element of oxymoron to it. We were excited at the sweet, delightful opportunity to come to Canada while feeling slightly bitter and scared that we were leaving the familiar — our daily routine, as well as our family and friends. I would like to believe that we have made a modest success of the move we staged back then. Remarkably and sadly, though, what I have just referenced as “relative comfort” in the City of Jos subsequently degenerated after our departure from that community in Nigeria into chaos and insecurity. A more relatively recent update, however, confirms that the government in the country is now striving arduously to restore the peace and serenity for which that university community was renowned. I continue to pray and hope for the realization of that goal. The entire nation of Nigeria deserves it as a member of the global community.

I’m beholden to Mary, my beautiful, lovely and loving spouse, who has been absolutely supportive of me at every step of the journey in this beautiful country and province. I would be remiss not to acknowledge in unequivocal terms that you have always taken wonderful care of us as a family. Mary believes so much in my ability to achieve set goals. She has always been, in a concrete and unmistakable way, a motivator as well as a constant driving force who consistently propels me to higher heights. Obulu!!

My lovely children deserve a prodigious accolade as well — my daughter Grace (and her husband, Jason); my son Ade (and his girlfriend, Georgina), as well as my youngest daughter “the Princess” Yemi (who I fondly call ‘the Math Wizard’ in acknowledgment of her love and passion for all things mathematical). I say “Gracias” to you all for accommodating my sporadic aloofness when duty-calls interface with domestic matters at the home front. I also love to think that we have succeeded in mapping out the strategy to deal with that now in a commonly satisfactory manner.

To my siblings in England and Nigeria, thanks for being there always in providing emotional and filial support since the loss of our mother, a brother and a sister. How lovely it would have been to have you all here in-person to celebrate this occasion with me. Nonetheless, I’m appreciatively content with your virtual and spiritual presence necessitated by inevitable practical limitations.

My father, a centenarian – who turned 100 years in January 2023 – was more than thrilled at the announcement of my appointment being celebrated today. I had the opportunity to visit him in Nigeria recently — in 2021, immediately after COVID-19 restrictions were partially lifted and it was safe to make international travels. He reminded me of the role I played in a drama commemorating my set’s graduation at the local elementary school, where a story book titled, The Incorruptible Judge was adapted for the stage. From that reminiscence, it’s clear to me now, more than ever, that my love and passion for the law dated back to my childhood days.

To our extended family members — nieces, nephews, cousins — and family friends from across Canada and overseas, I appreciate your presence — both virtually by WebEx and in person — on this occasion.

My immense gratitude to Arlene, John, Cynthia, Terry, and Amy Stiksma (our in-laws). Mary and I are most obliged for all your kindness and support as our new family members.

I thank my church family at Strathcona Baptist Church, Edmonton for the spiritual support you have unfailingly and continually provided to me and my family dating back to Year 2000, when my nuclear family members and I stepped into the hallowed hall of the sanctuary at 83rd Avenue, Edmonton. I deeply appreciate you all for coming to celebrate this day with me.

To all our family friends in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Grand Prairie (and other parts of our lovely province of Alberta), a big thank you for your friendship and presence here today. I got a huge surprise few weeks ago from some of my friends, based abroad – in Nigeria, the United States and the United Kingdom – informing me of their intentions to, in their words, “storm” this event. Not in the nature of a war strategy, but in a friendly celebration of this historic moment. I sincerely appreciate the pleasant surprise, Wole, Damola, Dele and Dejo! And many, many thanks for showing up and taking the long trips when it mattered.

The Brownlee’s Toastmasters Club had been an integral part of my journey since Justice Jane Fagnan introduced me to the organization. To all my friends at BBTM (that being the acronym we use for the club), who are present here today, I say thank you for gracing this significant ceremony.

Since my appointment as a Justice of the Alberta Court of Justice, I have been very fortunate to enjoy the benefit of an exceedingly supportive culture existing in all Divisions of the Court.

I am especially indebted to all my colleagues at the Edmonton Criminal Division — particularly ACJ Ray Bodnarek. I won’t dare inadvertently step on toes by going further to start mentioning individual names here because you have all been so wonderfully generous to me with your time, knowledge and experience – and I really, really mean that. That is unsurprising to me, though, because by every standard you are all achievers who have nothing to lose at the pinnacle– as it were – of your legal careers.

That said, I believe I’m on safe terrain in acknowledging the special roles played by Justice Randy Brandt, Justice Joyce Lester (my assigned mentors), and Justice Francine Roy, who incidentally were my immediate neighbours when I initially arrived at the East side on the 5th Floor. Justices Jim Wheatley, Larry Anderson, Janet Dixon, and Carole Godfrey must not be left out of that list of “incipient stage” visitors. They all came to check on me virtually every day — during my first few weeks and months — to ensure I was comfortable. Justice Danny Zalmanowitz of Edmonton Family and Youth Division also noticeably made efforts to come in regularly from the 6th Floor and reassure me that things would fall in place — professionally — sooner that I thought. That network has since (of course) ballooned as I approach my second year on the 5th Floor and now operating from the west side. I cherish you all!

I have also received assistance from all the wonderful staff at the Alberta Court of Justice — the judicial assistants, the judicial clerks, Executive Legal Counsel, LCs, Librarians, Court of Justice [COJ] staff members and clerkship or articling students. They have all helped to transition me to this new career and role — right from the time I stepped onto the 5th Floor back in July 2021 — doing seemingly banal things like showing me my office/chambers, the lunchroom, the library and resources available to me, designing my judicial education plan, etc. Sincere gratitude “Team COJ”!

As we all march into the future, I am optimistic that the challenges ahead call for the ability to deploy a sense of calm and grace under pressure.

The judiciary remains always at the confluence of our past, present and future. Take a glance around this grand courtroom, and you will quickly realize that it is populated, in the main, by erudite jurists who have demonstrated incredible leadership in the legal community we have all come to know over several years. They have all contributed in an inestimable manner to the development of jurisprudence across our nation and the international common law regime.

These members of the judiciary have all, without fear or favour, upheld and continue to uphold timeless principles that span, among others — Constitutionalism. Rule of Law. Due process. Natural Justice. Fair trial. Privacy and Open Courts.

In so doing, they have worked tirelessly and ethically with the vibrant members of the bar in our beautiful province to protect the democratic values we cherish in the Canadian society. I pay homage to your diligence and dedication.

Albert Schweitzer — a renowned polymath and Nobel Peace prize winner — once said: “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” I love the legal profession, love legal research and writing, and love to resolve legal problems. I believe these things that make me happy would help me make a success of my judicial career.

It is my goal to remain committed to the time-honoured principles of openness, transparency and accountability. In the same context, I will strive to observe and uphold the virtues of courtesy, respect, fairness and simplicity.

Acutely aware of the core principle of judicial independence while serving Albertans in the fair, administration of justice, I intend – and have planned – to work hard to justify the trust reposed in me by virtue of this appointment. I will diligently discharge my judicial duties to the best of my ability.

Many thanks to you all for coming to share this joyous moment with me!

Boss Of The Week

Aliko Dangote Stands Tall As Distinguished Fellow of Nigerian Academy of Engineers

Published

6 days ago

April 26, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

In recognition of his outstanding impact on engineering practice and development, the Nigerian Academy of Engineers (NAE) has conferred an Honorary fellowship award on the richest person in Africa, and President Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

The elite-graded event, which drew eminent personalities from across the nation, including the Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, was held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

A distinguished businessman and philanthropist, Dangote, in company of his daughters, other family members, and the management of the Dangote Group, received the Distinguished Honourary Fellow of the Academy by the President of the academy, Engr. Rahamon Bello, himself. The honour is the Academy’s highest recognition of excellence to individuals.

The event, anchored by Akin Semowo, began with a procession, followed by the rendition of the national anthem.

In his address, Bello said the induction reflects Dangote’s immense contributions to industrial and economic growth.

“As we induct him as the Academy’s sixth Honorary Fellow today, we acknowledge his immense contributions and formally welcome him into our community of thought leaders and nation builders.

“On behalf of the Council and Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, it is my great honour to welcome you and congratulate you on this well-deserved recognition.

“We look forward to your continued engagement with the Academy as we collectively work towards advancing engineering solutions for Nigeria’s development,” he said, acknowledging the Academy’s 29th year of existence since 1997.

He further described the academy as an apex body committed to advancing excellence in science, engineering, technology and innovation for national development, noting that it comprises eminent Nigerian and foreign engineering professionals who provide leadership on national engineering and technological issues.

According to him, the Academy offers a platform for experts to pool insights and advise government and private organisations on policy, especially in technology.

While acknowledging that the honour celebrates vision, resilience and commitment to advancing industrialisation, he said that Dangote’s investments span cement manufacturing, sugar refining, salt processing, vehicle assembly and petroleum refining, just as he noted that the Dangote Refinery is Africa’s largest oil refinery and a symbol of engineering excellence and innovation.

Also speaking, the Guest Speaker, Dr Mutiu Sunmonu, highlighted resilience, ethical leadership and navigating complexity as critical for modern industrialists.

Sunmonu said emerging economies must align energy infrastructure, investment flows and industrial policies to drive growth.

He stressed the need for foreign direct investment and public-private partnerships to scale energy systems and industrial capacity.

In his speech, the Group Managing Director of ARCO Group Plc, Mr Alfred Okoigun, said engineering must remain central to Nigeria’s development agenda, noting that Dangote’s recognition underscores the need for deliberate investment in engineering capacity.

He said countries like China had shown the gains of aligning ambition with technical expertise, adding that prioritising engineering in policy, education and industry, alongside strong institutions, is key to global competitiveness.

Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Benedict Oramah, commended Dangote’s contributions to Nigeria’s industrial landscape and job creation while Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, represented by his Special Adviser on Works, Dr Adekunle Olayinka, said Dangote’s efforts shows African innovation can compete globally.

Dangote, in his response, expressed happiness at being considered for the honour while describing engineering as a driver of national development and global competitiveness.

“Engineering is more than a profession; it is the language of progress.

“Every bridge that connects communities, every megawatt that lights homes and every drop of fuel that powers our economy begins as an engineering idea,” he said.

He noted that his business journey across Africa had reinforced his belief that engineers were central to economic transformation, describing them as “the silent architects of national development.”

He pledged support for mentorship, research, innovation and capacity building through expanded graduate programmes and partnerships with the academy.

Among other personalities that attended the event were Chairman/CEO of Channels Television, Dr. John Momoh; Chairman, Titan Trust Bank, Dr. Tunde Lemo; Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Aare Dele Momodu; Senator Iyiola Omisore and Oil and Gas Expert, Dan Kunle among others.

Born in Kano in 1957, Dangote proudly shuttles between three wonderful tags as the richest man in Nigeria; the richest man in Africa and the richest Black man in the world. He has paid his dues, and mankind is the better for it.

Releasing impacts, Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), the private charitable foundation of Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Incorporated in 1994, as Dangote Foundation, is saddled with the mission to enhance opportunities for social change through strategic investments that improve health and wellbeing, promote quality education, and broaden economic empowerment opportunities. 20 years later, the Foundation has become the largest private Foundation in sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest endowment by a single African donor.

The primary focus of ADF is child nutrition, with wraparound interventions centered on health, education and empowerment, and disaster relief. The Foundation also supports stand-alone projects with the potential for significant social impact.

The Foundation works with state and national governments and many highly reputable international and domestic charities, non-governmental organizations and international agencies to advance its humanitarian agenda.

In one of its biggest collaboration to date, Aliko Dangote Foundation started working in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and key northern State Governments in Nigeria from 2013 to eradicate polio and strengthen routine immunization in Nigeria.

Worthy of praise is the fact that nearly a decade, the Foundation has spent over N7 Billion in the course of feeding, clothing and the general welfare of the Internally Displaced Persons in the Northeast.

To make his host communities feel at ease, and the impact of his presence, Dangote has embarked on an initiative to provide further support to improving educational systems in Ibeju-Lekki and Epe locality. The educational support initiative is a tripartite programme consisting of scholarship, capacity building for teachers and school infrastructure projects.

In addition, Scholarships have been awarded to 52 secondary school students whilst some financial support was provided to their parents and/or guardians. Tertiary students will be included in the next batch of the scheme.

Furthermore, about 100 teachers, principals and school administrators were trained in teaching techniques for the 21st century. After which they were monitored in class on how they were using the skills acquired.

There is hardly any sector that has not felt the milk of human kindness running through Aliko Dangote; the military, media, politicians, governments across boards and more.

Dangote is surely an asset to this world!

As at today, there is no space for slowing down for Dangote as he continues to trudge on, creating firsts after first for himself and for humanity.

He is blessed with three wonderful daughters, who have followed the rewarding footprints of entrepreneurship.

Congratulations are in order for the African giant, and may he continue enjoy many more laurels as his footprints remain indelible in the sands of time.

Sir, continue to dominate the pages of history books with your impactful strides and results!

Boss Of The Week

African Heritage Awards: Honours Galore for Ex-AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The story of the former President of the prestigious Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, is one veritably punctuated with honours, credibility, integrity, service delivery and show of gratitude. This is the reason behind the copious awards that have trailed his existence, in and out of office.

It was for his exemplary leadership qualities, among a plethora of achievements that the main hall of the glamorous Movenpick Hotel, in the heart of Accra, Ghana, was jam-packed with special guests, dignitaries and a host of other African achievers, including the 24-hour Economy exponent, who is the admired President of Ghana, Dr. John Dramani Mahama. The event was the 2026 African Heritage Awards. And Adesina one more time, shone like a million stars, carting away the prestigious African Lifetime Achievement Award.

Akinwumi is not a stranger to high profile and prestigious awards.

Recall that shortly before he rounded off his tenure as AfDB president, he was awarded the much sought after Obafemi Awolowo Leadership prize in the presence notable dignitaries. As a follow-up, he won the inaugural African of the Decade Award. A landmark achievement, and the first of its kind.

His then organisation, the AfDB celebrated the landmark honour with glowing tributes, part of which include the fact that “Dr. Adesina has demonstrated a significant impact on the African continent through innovative solutions, projects, or initiatives that address the continent’s pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges. He has consistently shown leadership, vision, and dedication, driving positive change in sustainable development in Africa.”

The also recognised that “Under Adesina’s tenure, Nigeria ended 40 years of corruption in the fertilizer sector by developing and implementing an innovative electronic wallet system, which directly provides farmers with subsidized farm inputs at scale using their mobile phones.

“Since assuming leadership of the African Development Bank in 2015, Adesina, a World Food Prize laureate, has been instrumental in attracting global investment, championed innovative development strategies, and consistently positioned Africa as a continent of immense potential and opportunity.”

As always, Adesina was accompanied by his beloved wife, Mrs Grace Yemisi Adesina, and a retinue of well wishers.

It was a moment of glamour and most sought after, when the Dr Mahama stepped up the podium to do the honours to a son of Africa, whose tenure in every field of endeavour he had walked through, especially his 10-year stewardship at the AfDB, had been crowned with loud ovation.

Smiling from ear to ear, and with certain encouragement and support from his wife, Adesina picked up his award to a thunderous cheer by a crowd of distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

THE MAN, AKINWUMI ADESINA

Akinwunmi Adesina is one Nigerian who has left the footprint of achievements, nostalgia, accomplishment and determination in the sands of time, culminating in his unequivocal acceptance by well meaning peoples of the earth.

Born to a Nigerian farmer in Ibadan, Oyo State, on February 6, 1960, Adesina attended a village school and graduated with a Bachelors in Agricultural Economics with First Class Honors from the University of Ife, Nigeria in 1981. He was basically the first student to be awarded this distinction by the university. He followed up his studies at Purdue University in Indiana, briefly returning to Nigeria in 1984 to get married.

Afterwards, he returned to school, obtaining his PhD (Agricultural Economics) in 1988 from Purdue, winning the Outstanding Ph.D Thesis for his research work in the bargain.

Adesina’s professional career kicked off proper in 1990, when he served as a Senior Economist at West African Rice Development Association (WARDA) in Bouaké, Ivory Coast. He served till 1995.

He worked at the Rockefeller Foundation since winning a fellowship from the Foundation as a senior scientist in 1988.

From 1999 to 2003 he was the representative of the Foundation for the southern African area. And from 2003 until 2008, he was an Associate Director for food security.

In 2011, he was appointed Nigerian Agriculture Minister, a post he held till 2015 when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan ended.

Adesina was named as Forbes African Man of the Year for his reform of Nigerian agriculture. He introduced more transparency into the fertiliser supply chain. He also said that he would give away mobile phones to farmers but this proved too difficult as a result of lack of mobile network in rural areas.

Also in 2010, United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon appointed him as one of 17 global leaders to spearhead the Millennium Development Goals.

On May 28, 2015, just before he completed his tenure as the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture, a position he had held for four years, Adesina was elected the presumptive President of the African Development Bank. He began his tenure of the office on September 1 2015. He is the eighth president in the organization’s history, and the first Nigerian to hold the post.

On resumption at the AfDB, He launched a strategy based on energy, agriculture, industrialization, regional integration and bettering Africans’ lives. The Board of Executive Directors approved the reorganization of the structure around these five priorities.

In September 2016, Adesina was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to serve as member of the Lead Group of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement.

In 2017, he was awarded 2017 World Food Prize. Upon receiving the prize on October 21, 2017. Adesina donated the $250,000 he received to the development of African youth in agriculture. That is how generous and benevolent he is.

As an Agricultural Economist, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has been a leader in agricultural innovation for over 30 years. He has contributed greatly to food security in Africa, aimed at improving the lives of millions currently living in poverty, throughout the African continent. The Sunhak Committee acknowledges Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s achievements in promoting Good Governance of Africa, which boosts Africa’s capacity to feed itself and transform its total economies for generating wealth for millions of rural and poor African farmers.

At the Cape Town International Convention Center, the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee announced him as a co-winner of the 2019 Laureates for the Sunhak Peace Prize, with Waris Dirie, 53 year-old world-class supermodel and anti-FGM activist.

The Sunhak Peace Prize honors individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the peace and the welfare of the future generations. The Sunhak Peace Prize includes a cash prize totaling one million dollars. He received the award in February, 2019 in Seoul, Korea.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has been a leader in agricultural innovation in Africa for over 30 years, bringing great improvement to Africa’s food security, contributing to Africa’s dynamic growth. His leadership is building stepping-stones for Africa’s dynamic growth.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina pioneered major transformations in the agricultural field, including expanding rice production by introducing high yielding technologies, designing and implementing policies to support farmers’ access to technologies at scale, increasing the availability of credit for millions of smallholder farmers, attracting private investments for the agricultural sector, rooting out the corrupt elements in the fertilizer industry, and assisting in establishment of major agricultural policies for Africa’s green revolution.

The “Africa Fertilizer Summit,” which he organized in 2006, was one of the largest high-level meetings in Africa’s history that had a focus on solving Africa’s food issues. During this Summit, Dr. Adesina was instrumental in developing the “Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer for the African Green Revolution,” whereby the participants stated their commitment to the “eradication of hunger in Africa, by 2030.”

Dr. Adesina has worked with various banks and international NGOs in order to create an innovative financing system, providing loans to small farmers, providing a way for them to rise out of poverty. This move leveraged $100 million in loans and provided opportunities for small farmers to increase their agricultural productivity, and their income.

His stewardship as the president of the African Development Bank Group, has continued to ensure a central role in Africa’s development. As an “economic commander” of Africa, he promotes the “High 5 Strategy” that include: light up and power Africa, feed Africa, industrialize Africa, integrate Africa and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. As a result of his work, the lives of millions of people throughout Africa have been improved.

Dr. Adesina, also significantly utilized social impact bonds, most notably launching a record-breaking $3 billion “Fight COVID-19” Social Bond in March 2020. The initiative, designed to alleviate the economic and social impact of the pandemic on livelihoods and African economies, was the world’s largest US dollar-denominated social bond at the time.

Overall, his administration raised over $14 billion in social bonds in the past eight years to fund projects with measurable positive social impacts, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements.

During his 10-year tenure, the African Development Bank (AfDB) implemented Adesina’s “High 5” strategic priorities, which significantly impacted an estimated 565 million people across Africa in energy, agriculture, industrialisation, integrated infrastructure, and the improvement in the lives of Africans through investments in education, water, sanitation, and investments in women-led businesses and SMEs.

He was instrumental in gathering no fewer than 200 leading African political, business, and diplomatic leaders in Johannesburg for the 8th African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award dinner. He was the cynosure of all eyes. Adesina’s achievements shone like a million stars as he was named and honored as the African of the Year 2019, the most popular vote-based third-party endorsement in Africa.

The event which was themed ‘Africa for Africans – Exploring the Gains of a Connected Continent’, brought together dignitaries including South African Deputy President, David D Mabuza, South African Ministers Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Lindiwe Zulu, and Dr. Ken Giami, Publisher of African Leadership Magazine.

In his usual self, he delivered a keynote speech on the night that speaks of his passion for the continent. Much as he deserved the honour by every standard, he nonetheless expressed deep humility in being recognised, classifying his giant strides as ‘modest achievements and contributions to Africa’.

“Humbled to be nominated by what I gather to be 60% of the votes cast by some 1 million people, humbled to be at the helm of an organisation that is making a tremendous difference across Africa – the African Development Bank. An organisation that is daily making prosperity a reality,” he said.

He dedicated the award to his wife, Grace, the Board, staff, and colleagues at the bank, his mother, and “to the young mothers, struggling to bring up a child, to the farmer in search of a better tomorrow, to the youth of Africa longing for a better future, and to Africa’s journalists who risk their lives in helping to tell Africa’s true story.”

The truth remains that Adeaina has never reneged in achieving the feats.

Under his leadership, the AfDB helped over 18 million people get electricity, 141 million people get agricultural technologies, 13 million people get finance through private sector investee companies, 101 million people get improved transport services, and 60 million people get better water and sanitation.

“Africa does not need anyone to believe in her or to affirm her place and position in history. Africa will and must develop with pride. For right on the inside of us, as Africans, lies our greatest instrument of successes: confidence!” Here is a man who loves Africa with an undying passion.

It is worth mentioning that under Adesina’s leadership (2015–2025), AfDB achieved a historic capital increase, soaring from $93 billion in 2015 to roughly $318–$325 billion by 2025.

On January 16, 2020, Adesina came face to face with what can arguably be termed the greatest challenge of his career if not his life when allegations of ethical breaches were leveled against him by whistleblowers with the backing of the United States of America. The complaint was conveniently leaked paving the way for assault and a smear campaign.

Consequently, a high powered Ethics Committee, comprising Executive Directors representing shareholder nations, deliberated over every single dot and cross of the allegations, and in May 2020 gave Adesina a clean bill of health. In their words, the allegations were frivolous, baseless, and without merit or evidence. The report and conclusive deliberations of the Ethics Committee was subsequently sent to all Finance Ministers, better referred to as Governors of the Bank’s 81 shareholder counties, including the United States for ratification.

Not even one of the allegations stuck, making the originators bow their faces in shame. A cross section of respondents told The Boss that Adesina would have to be removed as President of the Bank and made ineligible for re-election originally scheduled for May 2020 if one allegation has scaled through.

Adesina’s watertight innocent was upheld by almost everyone that has a voice from across his country of birth, Nigeria, and across Africa.

The Nigerian government protested on his behalf that the governance procedures of the Bank during the investigation were followed to the letter including painstaking analysis of facts, evidence and documents. It noted that the whistleblowers were even prevailed upon to produce any more evidence at their disposal, but they failed they do so. It therefore, wondered at the sudden turnaround of the United States to call for another ‘independent investigation’.

“The Ethics Committee, following three months of work to examine the whistleblowers’ allegations made against the President, dismissed each and every one of the allegations of the whistleblowers against the President as unsubstantiated and baseless.

“The Nigerian Government welcomes this conclusion of the Ethics Committee and the decision of the Chair of the Board of Governors”, the statement read. The probe committee was headed by Takuji Yano, the institution’s Japanese Executive Director.

Towing the line of the Nigeria government, a former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, mobilised former African leaders to the rescue of the embattled president. In a letter, the former leader personally signed and copied about 13 former heads of state, cutting across all regions of Africa, Obasanjo proposed that the leaders jointly issue a press statement to support the laid down procedures embarked upon to evaluate the allegations against the President of the Bank.

Just as the Nigerian government, Obasanjo went further to highlight Adesina’s achievements, noting that under his leadership AfDB “has been actively positioned as an effective global institution ranked fourth globally in terms of transparency among 45 multilateral and bilateral institutions.”

Other achievements include taking bold measures to ensure the bank can respond proactively to support African countries and got its board of directors to approve a $10 billion crisis response facility to support African countries during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as successfully launching a $3 billion ‘Fight COVID-19’ social impact bond on the international capital market at 0.75 per cent interest rate.”

Africa Leaders, on their part, under the aegis of Concerned African Leaders, released a statement titled Leadership of the African Development Bank: A Need for Caution, announcing their solidarity with Adesina, stating inter alia:

“The African Development Bank is a pride for all of Africa, and its President, Dr. Adesina, has taken the Bank to enviable heights. At this critical time that Africa is battling with COVID-19, the Bank and its President should not be distracted.”

Nigeria’s then President, Muhammadu Buhari, personally assured him that he would stand by him, and was so elated at the announcement of his reelection, saying ‘you deserve it’. He also thanked the African Union for its endorsement of Adesina, and to the shareholders of the bank.

Adesina has been fearless in the discharge of his duties, creating many firsts and stepping on supposedly powerful toes.

“In 2019, he successfully led the Bank’s shareholder General Capital Increase from $93 billion to $208 billion. In the process, he became the first Bank President to take the risk of championing a case for increasing capital for Africa’s development during a first term in office. It was a gambit that paid off in spite of initial strong American opposition.

“In 2018, Adesina championed and helped create the Bank-sponsored Africa Investment Forum which in 2018 and 2019 attracted more than $225 billion in infrastructure investment interests into the continent. This was an unprecedented initiative. The U.S. representative was said to have considered the Forum a departure from the Bank’s original mandate. Some also saw this as an attempt by Adesina to help wean African nations off a dependency on foreign aid. Some critics also suggested that Adesina was attempting to burnish his credentials among African Heads of State via the investment forum.

Much as everyone acknowledges the sustainable development of the AfDB, it must be noted that Adesina, through a dint hard work propelled by intelligence, determination and legacy-inspired zeal, built the African Development Bank into a world class financial institution. The following indices can be considered:

*For ten straight years, maintained AAA credit ratings for the African Development Bank by all the 3 major global credit rating agencies, Moody’s, S & P Global ratings and Fitch ratings—reinforcing the Bank’s position as the only financial institution in Africa with a AAA credit rating.

– The African Development Bank was rated as the Best Multilateral Development Bank in the world by Global Finance.

– The African Development Fund (the concessional financing institution of the Bank) was ranked as the second best concessional financing institution in the world, ranking above all the 55 concessional financing institutions in all advanced economies of the OECD.

– The African Development Fund innovated and developed a market borrowing framework that would allow it to raise over $25 billion from the global capital market. This was what allowed the Fund to raise additional funds for its recent replenishment.

– The African Development Bank was ranked as the Most Transparent Financial Institution in the World for its sovereign lending to countries.

– In the 10 years he held sway, Adesina developed and secured board’s approval for the building of a new world-class headquarters building for the African Development Bank Group.

Adesina was literally a star on the job; a typical example of a round peg in a round hole. He wore the job, and many other of his endeavours as a fitting apparel. He was, and is still that good.

Adesina is not all work however, he is reportedly very close to his God. While at Purdue University, he, his wife, along with another couple, started a Christian group called the African Student Fellowship. He and his wife Grace have two children, Rotimi and Segun.

The accomplished technocrat and reputable entrepreneur is sure to quadruple his achievements of the last couple of years by the way he is going. He was one AfDB president many wished he continued in office even after the expiration of his 10 years stewardship.

Congratulations sir!

Boss Of The Week

Why I Want to Be President – Romuald Wadagni

Published

3 weeks ago

April 9, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Romuald Wadagni is not new to Benin politics, neither is he new to administration, especially in the area of financial reorientation, recovery and development. He has professionally steered the Finance and Economy ministry of his country for 10 uniterrupted years after serving as a finance guru with top finance films including the renowned Deloitte. Wadagni is an enigma, and of course Benin’s choice to be president come April 12.

Below is a text delivered by the frontline presidential candidate for the forthcoming Benin Republic Presidential election, Romuald Wadagni on his stewardship, and the expections for the average Benoise:

Over the past few years, our country has achieved what many thought was impossible. With vision and courage, we have proven that when a people decide to take charge of their own destiny, nothing can stand in their way.

The progress we have made and the efforts contributed by all now give us the means to deploy a new complementary development approach that will eradicate extreme poverty and ensure that prosperity reaches every household. This is the challenge we must take on together.

Tomorrow, every Beninese, every young person, wherever they may be, must be able to find an opportunity within reach. Our ambition involves establishing regional development hubs, giving a more prominent role to the private sector, and fully harnessing technology. The goal is clear: to create wealth for all and improve living conditions across the entire country.

This program is the logical continuation of what we have started, and the beginning of what I propose we accomplish together: to build an even greater Benin—the Benin of our dreams.

Romuald Wadagni