In a revealing interview with Arise Television, the outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has signaled his openness to national service, hinting at a possible bid for Nigeria’s presidency after his tenure at the bank concludes.
Adesina, who has served as AfDB President since 2015 and secured re-election in 2020, emphasized his unwavering commitment to Nigeria, stating that he would be available to serve “in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country, Nigeria.”
The former Minister of Agriculture under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan reaffirmed his deep-rooted patriotism, recalling his decision to retain his Nigerian citizenship despite opportunities to acquire a U.S. passport.
“I cannot and will never trade my Nigerian passport for anything,” he said. “God did not make a mistake in making me a Nigerian, and that green passport will be respected just like everybody else’s.”
When pressed on whether he would run for Nigeria’s presidency, Adesina gave a playful nod to Afrobeats star Davido’s song Unavailable, suggesting he would flip the lyrics to declare himself “available” for service.
“The only thing that makes me happy is seeing lives transformed and changed. That’s what gives me satisfaction. So, when it comes to service of any kind, I would ask Davido to change that song—‘I am available, they will see me.’”
While Adesina stopped short of officially declaring his candidacy, his remarks have fueled speculation about a potential 2027 presidential bid, positioning him as a key figure to watch in Nigeria’s political landscape.
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