Adesoji Adelaja, PH.D

John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy,Michigan State University (MSU) & Board Chairman, Chapel Hill Advisory Partners (CHAPS), Chapel Hill Denham Management (CHDM), and Student Accomod8Professor Adelaja is the John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy at Michigan State University (MSU), where he has served on the faculty for 20 years. He founded and served as the Director of MSU’s Land Policy Institute from 2006 to 2011. On leave from MSU, he spent five years as Special Adviser on Economic Intelligence at the Presidency in the Federal Republic of Nigeria andas the Director of Economic Intelligence at the Office of the National Security Adviser, where he led national economic security and stability efforts. In Nigeria, he spearheaded and chaired the Presidential Initiative for the Northeast (PINE), which developed and implemented the resettlement strategy and the economic revitalization plan for the region of Nigeria affected by the BokoHaram terrorist insurgency. Adelaja also led the design of PINE’s success or organization, the Presidential Committee for the Northeast Initiative (PCNI). Priorto MSU, Adelaja spent 18 years at Rutgers University, where he served as Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dean of Cook College, Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Cook College Dean of Research, and Chair of the AFRE department.  He also founded the EcoPolicy Center, Food Policy Institute and the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University. Professor Adelaja received his B.S. Degree in Agricultural Mechanization from the Pennsylvania State University (PSU), his M.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from West Virginia University (WVU), andhis M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Economics from WVU. He received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from PSU in 2002 was inducted into the Roll of Distinguished Alumni at WVU in 2018. Aneclectic scholar, Professor Adelaja’s expertise spans such areas as agricultural & food policy, land policy & place strategy, economic development & transformation, renewable energy policy, food security, and conflict prevention & management. His recent research in conflict prevention, conflict management and economic revitalization of conflict-affected areas is often relied upon in public policy. For example, he recently co-authored a key reporton agricultural development strategy for Africa for the USAID Board ofInternational Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD). Also, he was recently drafted by the African Union and the African Development Bank to an eminent group of scholars and experts which developed their study on “Key Actions to Achieve Inclusive Growth & Sustainable Development in Africa.” Adelaja led the agriculture and agrifood system aspect of the study and was the technical editor for the overall study. The report will guide continent-wide development strategy efforts for African economies through 2063. Adelajais frequently tapped for his expertise in corporate governance. For example, he currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Chapel Hill Advisory Partners (CHAPs), a leading African private investment bank; Chapel Hill Denham Management, a leading African investment management firm; and Student Accomod8 Limited, a real estate development/management company in Nigeria. Adelaja is on the Board of Trust fund Pensions Ltd., a Nigerian pension fund administrator. Hechairs the Africa Advisory Council of United Way Worldwide, one of the largest philanthropies in the world. He is also a member of the Global Advisory Councilof Pennsylvania State University. Adelaja’s work in in public policy is well respected. He has served as special adviser tothe Governor of Michigan on Economic Development and Renewable Energy, the Governor of New Jersey on Economic Development and Land Policy, and the Governors of Midwestern US States on Renewable Energy and Green Jobs, amongstothers.  Adelaja has received numerous awards for excellence in research, outreach and public policy, including the Presidential Award for Distinguished Public Service (Rutgers), and the Distinguished Faculty Award (MSU). He is listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America (2023) and among America’s Top Educators (2024). Adelaja has lived in the US for 50 years and is a dual US/Nigeria citizen. However, he remains strongly connected to Africa in theareas of research, public policy, and corporate governance. He advises and mentors several Africa diaspora organizations on their roles in community development in USA and Africa. A resident of both the states of Florida and Michigan, Adelaja is married to Frances Adelaja, and they have three children –Angel Adelaja-Kuye, Evan Adebayo Adelaja II, and Beniah Adeleke Adelaja II.