Akinwumi Adesina, the outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has dismissed reports suggesting he is considering a run for the Nigerian presidency in 2027.
Speculation arose following his recent interview on Arise TV, where he was asked about his political future after completing his tenure at the AfDB. Responding to the question, Adesina stated, “I will be available to serve in any capacity, globally, in Africa, anywhere—including in my own country, Nigeria.”
His remarks fueled widespread interpretations that he was subtly declaring interest in the 2027 presidential race.
However, Adesina has now clarified his stance, emphasizing that his words were misinterpreted.
Addressing the issue in a tweet on Thursday, February 13, 2025, he stated, “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.’
He further stressed, “A review of the full interview, which is available online, will confirm this. For clarity and the record, I did not say that I am running for the office of President of Nigeria.”
This is not the first time Adesina has been linked to a potential presidential bid. Before the 2023 elections, similar reports surfaced when a support group allegedly purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) N100 million presidential nomination form on his behalf.
At the time, he publicly rejected the move, stating that his commitments at the AfDB did not allow him to engage in political activities.