Nigerian cassava breeder Prof. Chiedozie Egesi has been named a 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneer by the World Food Prize Foundation, joining a distinguished cohort of 40 innovators selected from 30 countries across six continents. The announcement, made as part of the Foundation’s 40th anniversary celebrations, recognises individuals driving bold, science-backed solutions to global food security challenges.
Prof. Egesi, who serves as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Root Crops Research Institute in Nigeria, was honoured for his work accelerating the development and spread of improved cassava varieties across Africa, including pro-vitamin A cassava that boosts nutrition for millions. The third-annual Top Agri-food Pioneers cohort features awardees from 30 different countries across six continents, with honorees ranging in age from 16 to 81 and working across fields from crop science to AI-driven food innovation.
Reacting to the honour, Prof. Egesi described the recognition as a validation of purposeful leadership rather than a personal achievement. He said the recognition affirms that effective deployment of science, innovation, and purposeful leadership can transform lives when translated into action, adding that research achieves its highest purpose when it transforms farms, feeds families, and builds nations. He further noted that the honour also celebrates the resilience of African farmers who continue to strengthen economies and secure the continent’s future despite numerous challenges.
World Food Prize Foundation President Mashal Husain said the 2026 cohort recognises innovators delivering practical, science-driven solutions to build a resilient, sustainable, and food-secure planet, describing the timing as urgent given the overlapping crises facing global food systems today.
All 2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers, including Prof. Egesi, will be formally celebrated at the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, from October 20 to 22. The recognition cements Prof. Egesi’s standing as one of Africa’s foremost voices in agricultural research, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing influence in the global push for sustainable food security.
