Adesina becomes first Nigerian to be two-term AfDB president

Delegates from all the member countries of the African Development Bank (AfDB) have unanimously voted Akinwumi Adesina for a second term in office.

The election held virtually on Thursday at the ongoing annual meetings of the bank with Adesina as the sole candidate.

Adesina, a former Nigerian minister of agriculture, will start his new five-year term as AfBD president on September 1, 2020.

Niale Kaba, Cote d’Ivoire’s minister of national planning and the chair of AfDB’s board of governors, announced the election results in Abidjan.

“I am delighted that the board of governors have re-elected Dr Adesina for a second term in office as president,” she said.

“As shareholders, we strongly support the bank and will give him all the necessary support to carry forward and implement his compelling vision for the bank over the next five years.”

Commenting on his victory, Adesina said: “I am deeply grateful for the collective trust, strong confidence and support of our shareholders for electing me for a second term as President. It is yet another call for selfless service to Africa and the African Development Bank, to which I will passionately devote myself”.

“The future beckons us for a more developed Africa and a much stronger and resilient African Development Bank Group. We will build on the strong foundations of success in the past five years, while further strengthening the institution, for greater effectiveness and impacts”

Adesina became the first Nigerian AfDB president on May 28, 2015.