Akinwunmi Adesina Offers Support for Nigeria's Growth

Akinwunmi Adesina, the immediate past President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on October 27, 2026. Adesina expressed his willingness to support Nigeria's development in any capacity, emphasizing that his offer stemmed from a sense of duty rather than a desire for a government position.

He briefed Tinubu on his tenure at the AfDB, noting that the bank provided approximately $7 billion in financing to Nigeria from 2015 to 2025. Adesina acknowledged the economic reforms initiated by Tinubu's administration, stating they were beginning to yield results, although he pointed out the need for a stronger focus on structural transformation and economic expansion.

He mentioned that Nigeria's international perception had improved, with stable and positive outlooks from rating agencies. Adesina also discussed the AfDB's mobilization of $2.2 billion for the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones initiative across 24 states in Nigeria.