Menu

President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Akinwumi Adesina for a second term as President of African Development Bank (AfDB). Adesina made the disclosure while receiving the Emeka Anyaoku Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday.

Adesina received the award in recognition of his outstanding performance at an event, which held in Lagos and was organised by Hallmarks of Labour Foundation. He is the first Nigerian to serve as President of the AfDB. Adesina succeeded Donald Kaberuka who served two-terms as President of the bank.

“I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for re-election for a second term as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporter of my re-election," Adesina said.

According to Adesina, Nigeria has invested so much in him. He was Minister of Agriculture in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He said he was elected President of the AfDB with the strong support of President Jonathan as well as the then-President-elect, Buhari. He said other former presidents and heads of state, including General Abdusalam, General Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala supported his election.

“At the African Development Bank we have worked very hard," Adesina said. "In my four years as President, we have connected 16 million people to electricity, provided 70 million people with improved agricultural technologies to achieve food security, given 9 million people access to finance from private sector companies, provided 55 million people with access to improved transport, and 31 million people with access to water and sanitation. In all 181 million people have directly benefitted from our investments.”

Adesina said the bank has continued to maintain its global AAA rating. Last year, the bank was rated the 4th most transparent institution globally.

The former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture is the eight President of the AfDB. He assumed the position on September 1, 2015 for a five-year term and is eligible for another term of five years.