Obafemi Awolowo Foundation Hails Adesina’s Transformational Decade at AfDB

The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation has paid glowing tribute to the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, as he concludes his decade-long tenure at the helm of the continental lender.

In a statement on Sunday signed by its Executive Director, Ambassador Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, the foundation described Adesina’s leadership as “unprecedented” and “transformational,” lauding his vision for redefining the role of development institutions in Africa.

“Under your stewardship, the African Development Bank has become not just a financial institution but a bold instrument of transformation, driven by purpose, guided by innovation, and grounded in the firm belief that Africa’s best days are ahead,” the statement read.

The foundation recalled that Adesina was the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, an award ceremony that drew at least five African heads of state and attracted goodwill messages from across the continent and beyond.

Highlighting signature AfDB initiatives during his tenure, the foundation cited the High 5s, Feed Africa, and Desert to Power programmes, alongside his push to mobilise capital for climate action and infrastructure development. According to the statement, these efforts “created pathways for millions and shifted the narrative about what is possible in Africa.”

“You have been not only a builder of institutions but also a builder of hope,” the foundation noted, stressing that Adesina’s impact will remain indelible and his voice vital in shaping Africa’s future.

Adesina, Nigeria’s former Minister of Agriculture, was first elected AfDB president in 2015 and re-elected for a second term in 2020. Over the past decade, he has emerged as one of Africa’s most visible advocates for economic transformation on the global stage.