Adesina says he isn’t planning to run for presidency in 2027

Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has recently addressed the controversy surrounding his comments about Nigeria, following an interview on Arise Television on Monday, February 10, 2025.

During the interview, Adesina expressed his willingness to serve in any capacity once his tenure at the bank concludes, whether globally, across Africa, or in his home country, Nigeria.

This statement sparked widespread speculation, with some media outlets suggesting that the former Minister of Agriculture may be considering a run for the Nigerian presidency in 2027.

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In response to the speculation, Adesina took to X on Thursday to clarify his position, stating that his words had been misinterpreted and misrepresented in several Nigerian media outlets.

He emphasised that what he actually said was, “I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country.

“He further urged the public to listen to the full, unedited interview, available online, to understand the context of his remarks. For the record, Adesina categorically denied suggesting that he was running for the Nigerian presidency.

Adesina has led the AfDB since 2015, securing a second term in 2020.