By Kazeem Ugbodaga
President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has publicly expressed heartfelt gratitude to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari for his unwavering support during critical moments of his leadership journey at the continental financial institution.
Adesina, in a message posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealed that he visited Buhari to personally thank him for backing his initial nomination and re-election as AfDB President.
He recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan had first nominated him for the role, but noted that it was Buhari’s consistent and firm support—especially during challenging times—that proved instrumental to his success.
“Grateful ❤️: I visited President Buhari to express my deep appreciation for his incredibly supporting my nomination by President Jonathan for election as President, African Development Bank. He strongly stood by me in difficult times, which ensured my re-election. Thank you Sir,” Adesina wrote.
Adesina, who has been widely praised for his transformative leadership at the AfDB, was first elected as President of the Bank in 2015 and re-elected in 2020 amidst intense scrutiny and internal investigations from external actors. His re-election was eventually secured after an independent review cleared him of all allegations.
The former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture is known for spearheading major reforms in African infrastructure financing, agricultural development, and energy access. His tenure at the AfDB has drawn global acclaim for innovation and integrity in development finance.
Adesina’s latest gesture is seen by many as a testament to the often-overlooked role of political goodwill in advancing national and continental leadership representation.
