2027: Adesina hints at presidential run president of the african development

With political calculations for the 2027 presidential election gaining traction, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has hinted at a possible bid for Nigeria’s top office.

Adesina, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2010 to 2015, is in the final months of his second and last term as AfDB president.

Speaking in an interview on Arise TV yesterday, the economist and development expert said he would be “available to serve” in any capacity after his tenure, including Nigeria’s presidency.

When the interviewer, Rufai Oseni asked: “So, a couple of months from now, you’re going to be leaving this job. A lot of people are asking: what’s next for you? Do you want to give a shot at the presidency of your own country? Because this is what Africa needs—forthright thinkers who can move the needle in terms of development. You’ve been president of the African Development Bank, you’ve had a lot of impact, and people are looking to see what’s next for you”, Adesina replied with a question: “What do you think you should be doing?”

Afterwards, Oseni doubled down with his question: “Why don’t you want to run for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”

Adesina, thereafter, replied “When you ask me what I will do next, I started this interview by telling you that I always believe in the providence of God, in His grace. I don’t see myself as anything more than an instrument in God’s hands to help people. The only thing that makes me happy—there’s nothing else—is seeing lives transformed. That’s what gives me satisfaction.

“As a result, I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere—including in my own country, Nigeria,” he said.

To reinforce his stance, he referenced a popular Nigerian song about being unavailable.

“I remember one of my favourite songs by the great Nigerian pop artist, Davido. That song says, ‘I’m unavailable, dem no dey see me.’

“But in the case of service of any kind, I would ask Davido to change the lyrics to: ‘I am available.’ So, yes, I will be available to serve, to do whatever God has in store for me,” he said.