Akinwumi Adesina: I never said I’ll be running for president in 2027

Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has clarified recent remarks pertaining to Nigeria. 

In an interview on Arise Television three days ago, Adesina said he is available for national service after his tenure at the bank elapses.

He added that he is willing to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, or in his home country.

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

The comments sparked widespread speculation, with some sections of the press reporting that the former agriculture minister may well be nursing a 2027 presidential ambition.

In a post on X on Thursday, Adesina said his words were misrepresented.

“A segment of my recent interview on Arise TV has been both misinterpreted and misrepresented in several Nigerian media outlets,” he said.

“What I said was, ‘I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country’.

“A listen to the substantive and robust interview, which is available online will show this to be the case. For clarity and for the record, I did not say that I am running for the office of President of Nigeria.”

Adesina was first elected to lead the AfDB in 2015. He secured a second term at the bank in 2020.