Korede Abdullah in Lagos
President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has announced that his tenure will officially end at 8:00 a.m. on September 1, 2025, bringing to a close ten impactful years at the helm of Africa’s foremost financial institution.
Speaking during the groundbreaking of the Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Atan-Ijaye, Akinyele LGA, Adesina said, “This is actually my last time that I will be in Nigeria as President of the African Development Bank. My term comes to an end exactly at 8:00 a.m. on September 1, 2025.”
Reflecting on his stewardship, Adesina described his decade-long leadership as a profound honour. “It has been an honour to serve Africa and to use that as an instrument to serve my country, Nigeria,” he said.
He credited Nigeria’s unyielding support for the bank’s achievements, expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the National Assembly, governors, the private sector, and the Nigerian people.
“In 2015, when I took over as president of the bank, its capital stood at $93 billion. Today, it is $318 billion,” he noted, highlighting milestones in transparency, governance, and financial growth.
Adesina also praised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for revitalising the Fashola Farm Settlement, now attracting investments exceeding ₦11 billion.
Stressing the importance of agribusiness to economic development, he said, “Agriculture is the backbone of economic transformation,” while reaffirming his lifelong commitment to Africa’s growth beyond his AfDB presidency.
