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Dr. Akinwumi Adhesina, president of the African Development Bank (AFDB), recently shared the fascinating journey that led to her historical elections as president of the continental financial institution in 2015.
Speaking to the 14th lesson of calling the National Open University of Nigeria (noun), Adhesin revealed that the key Nigerian leaders have carried out key roles in his ascent at the top of the AFDB.
The lesson, entitled “advancing the positioning of Africa within global development and geopolitical dynamics”, has also touched his vision of leadership for Africa and significant steps made by the bank under his mandate.
Adhesina began her narrative by expressing a profound gratitude to the former President Goodluck Jonathan, who appointed him for the first time for the Afdb presidency.
He recognized that Jonathan’s approval prepared the foundations for what would become a significant milestone in his career.
“Someone took us like former President Goodluck Jonathan to name me for this, for which I am eternally grateful,” said Adhesina, telling the key moments that led to his candidacy.
However, Adhesin quickly stressed that his candidacy could falter if the former president Muhammadu Buhari had not provided his crucial approval. Adhesina explained: “If President Bohari had not supported my candidacy, he had died on arrival”.
The global political panorama at the time was uncertain and adhesin faced challenges during his campaign, in particular in Paris, where some countries were hesitant to support him because of the change in the leadership in Nigeria.
“I went to a particular country, they said, sorry, we can’t see you. I asked why? They said, why the government changed to Nigeria.
“There is a new president who is coming. And we don’t know if he will support you,” he revealed Adhesina.
In a moment of vulnerability, Adhesin contacted his then governor of the state, senator Ibikunle Amosun, who facilitated a call to the assistant of President Buhari, Tunde Sabiu. This led to a direct conversation with Buhari, whom Adhesin had never met before.
“When I talked to President Buhari, he said:” I followed your career without you know for a long time. I know you as a person of integrity and professionalism. I will support your candidacy, even if you are a member of the PDP, “said Adhesina.
This support of Buhari, together with the support of other influential figures, has been decisive in its possible elections.
Adhesin has also recognized the contributions of many other Nigerian leaders, including the former general heads of state Yakubu Gowon and General Ibrahim Babangida, who both carried out key roles in his campaign.
General Gowon, in particular, accompanied him to Namibia during his campaign, while Obasanjo and Babangida also lent their support.
Reflecting on the immense support he received, Adhesina said: “I am not a product of myself. They are a product of trust and support of so many of our leaders”.
He also praised the role of the former vice president Atiku Abubakar, who introduced him to the main parties concerned and facilitated strategic alliances that proved to be essential during the campaign.
Adhesin’s journey to the AFDB presidency has also involved personal challenges.
After his election on May 28, 2015, Adhesina recalled a touching moment during the inauguration of President Boari, where he was denied entry into the VIP box to Eagle Square.
Standing in the sun for three hours, Adhesina has seized the opportunity to express his gratitude to both presidents Jonathan and Buhari. Despite being outside the VIP area, Adhesin persisted in his mission to personally thank those who had helped him to guarantee his position.
“I moved to the right. I crossed the carpet. The service leaders saw me and I said congratulations, Dr. Adhesin. I said, sorry, I don’t want to stop anything. I came to say” thanks “to President Buhari”, he told Adhesina, telling the emotional exchange with the president.
Adhesin leadership at AFDB led to considerable transformations.
Under his guide, the bank’s capital has increased from $ 93 billion to $ 318 billion and has recently been assessed as the best multinational financial institution globally.
In addition, the AFDB has been classified as the most transparent financial institution in the world for two consecutive years, marking a record of 98.9 percent in the “it publishes what is financed”.
Adhesin has credited these results to the collaborative efforts of his staff and the bank shareholders.
Today Adhesin is proud of the inheritance of the AFDB under his mandate and is engaged in the vision of the self -sufficiency of Africa.
He closed his lesson with an invitation to action: “Africa must trace its future, based not on the benevolence of others, but on its own self -determination of self -sufficiency, building reliable alliances, exploiting opportunities in these global dynamics, putting Africa in first place.”
With his latest mandate that concludes this year, the leadership of Adhesin at the AFDB is ready to leave an indelible mark on the development trajectory of the continent.
His journey from a modest Nigerian candidate to the president of one of the most influential financial institutions in the world represents a testimony of the power of unity, trust and leadership in achieving great things for Africa.
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