Nigeria’s Adesina is AfDB’s next president

29 May 2015, New Times (Rwanda)

Nigeria’s agriculture minister Akinwumi A. Adesina has been elected by African Development Bank’s Board of Governors as the bank’s new president, AfDB has announced.

“Akinwumi A. Adesina of Nigeria has been elected as the eighth president of the AfDB, to assume office on September 1,” the bank announced on its Twitter handle moments after the vote last evening.

Adesina, who will be replacing Dr Donald Kaberuka, 55, beat a field of seven other contestants in a race earlier described as one of the closest in the bank’s history.

Kaberuka said the incoming AfDB president will do “a good job”. “My warmest congratulations to @akin_adesina elected President of @AfDB_Group. Look forward to hand over on Sept 1st. He will do a great job,” he tweeted following the election.

WHO’S ADESINA?

Born in February 6, 1960, Adesina is currently Nigeria’s minister for agriculture and rural development.

He holds a PhD and Masters degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University, US.

He obtained First Class Honours bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics from University of Ife, Nigeria.