The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has hinted at running for the position of Nigeria’s president in 2027.
Adesina, who has been at the helm of the AfDB since 2015, made this known in an interview with Arise Television’s news host, Rufai Oseni.
When asked about his plans after completing his tenure at the AfDB, Adesina stated that he is available for national service.
He said, “You know, one of the things that I’m grateful for as a Nigerian: many, many years ago, when I was in graduate school in Nigeria, even after that, I had an opportunity to obtain a US visa. I was given a great visa, and I could have obtained US citizenship.
“And I say, I didn’t want it, not because I don’t like America. My kids are Americans, and they were born there, but I remember telling a colleague of mine that this passport is a Nigerian passport, a green passport.
“I cannot and will never trade it for anything. It gives me a lot of grief wherever I go. You know, with family, my kids are probably asked to go right through, and I’m asked to stay behind. They ask you all kinds of funny questions, where were you born, when do you hope to die? Or any kind of question, just to make sure that you don’t get it.
“But I told this friend of mine that this part—God did not make a mistake in making me a Nigerian. He didn’t make a mistake in making me an African. I will live as a Nigerian, and I will walk by the special grace of God. But that passport, that green passport, will be respected just like everybody else in the world, right?
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.”
Adesina is a former Minister of Agriculture during Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
It’s worth noting that Adesina has previously dismissed claims of running for president. Prior to the 2023 general elections in 2022, he stated that he was not interested in joining the presidential race, despite a coalition of 28 groups purchasing and submitting his nomination form for the All Progressives Congress (APC)