Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has dismissed speculations about his alleged interest in running for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027. His recent remarks on Arise TV stirred widespread debate, with many interpreting his words as a subtle declaration of political ambition.
During the interview, Adesina was asked about his future plans after his tenure at AfDB. In response, he stated, “I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including in my own country, Nigeria.” However, his words quickly made headlines, with some media outlets suggesting he was hinting at a potential presidential bid.
Reacting to the reports, Adesina took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday to set the record straight. He insisted that his statement had been misinterpreted and urged the public to listen to the full interview for clarity.
A segment of my recent interview on @ARISEtv has been both misinterpreted and misrepresented in several Nigerian media outlets. What I said was, “I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere, including my own country.”
For clarity and for the record, I did not say that I am running for the office of President of Nigeria, he wrote.
Adesina, a respected economist and development expert, was previously linked to Nigeria’s 2023 presidential race but did not contest. His recent comments have reignited political speculation, but for now, he maintains that his focus remains on serving in broader capacities beyond politics.
