- He was first elected in 2015 to lead the continental funding institution, which was founded in 1964, and was re-elected President of the AfDB for a second term in 2020.
The outgoing President of the African Development Bank, AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, says he may throw his hat in the ring for the Nigerian presidency.
The AfDB boss said he is available to serve in any capacity anywhere, including Nigeria, after his tenure at the bank ends.
“he will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including his own country, Nigeria.”
Adesina, also a former Minister of Agriculture during Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, made this known in an interview with Arise Television’s news host, Rufai Oseni.
He was first elected in 2015 to lead the continental funding institution, which was founded in 1964, and was re-elected President of the AfDB for a second term in 2020.
Adesina stated that he derives immense satisfaction and happiness from seeing the lives of people transform and change.
When asked what’s next for him and whether he would run for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Adesina answered:
“You don’t beg for respect. You earn respect. So, when you’re talking about, what will I do after, you know, I started listening to you by telling you that I always believe in the providence of God, the grace of God. I don’t see myself as more than just an instrument in the hands of God to help people.
“Look, the only thing that makes me happy is nothing else than seeing the lives of people transform and change—that’s what gives me satisfaction. And so, as a result of that, you know, I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country.
“Yeah, you know, I remember one of those songs that I actually like in Nigeria is by my great singer, pop artist, Davido. And I think that song was, ‘I’m unavailable, dem no dey see me. I am unavailable.’
“So, but in the case where it comes to service of any kind, I would ask Davido to change that song—’I am available, they will see me.’
“I will. I’ll be available to serve in God’s hands for anything that God has in store for my life.”
Discussion about this post