The Coalition of United Political, CUPP, the Nigerian Youths for Good Governance (NYGG) and the Committed Advocates Of Integrity Initiative (CADII) and Convener National Integrity Summit (NIS), have heaped generous accolades on the outgoing President of the African Development Bank, AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who is rounding off his two-term tenure in that capacity.
The Coalition’s national publicity Secretary, Comrade Mark Adesina Adebayo in Abuja, CUPP praised “the revolutionary and transformational leadership” that Dr Adesina applied in improving the effectiveness of the AfDB.
For the Convener, Nigerian Youths for Good Governance (NYGG), Comrade T M Okoro, Dr. Adesina’s decade-long leadership has been a period of monumental transformation for Africa.
‘With vision, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the continent’s development, he redefined the role of the AfDB as not just a financial institution, but a catalyst for inclusive growth and economic empowerment,” he said.
Executive Director, Committed Advocates Of Integrity Initiative (CADII) and Convener National Integrity Summit (NIS), Comrade Charles Agubor, said that “As integrity advocates, we are especially proud of Dr. Adesina’s fearless and principled stance against corruption, inefficiency, and mediocrity. In times of challenge, he stood tall, not for self-interest, but in defense of truth, service, and the African dream.
“Today, we honor not just a technocrat or economist, but a trailblazer whose legacy will endure in every community that now has light, in every child that has food, and in every young person empowered to dream and achieve.”.
According to CUPP, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has represented Nigeria and Africa well on the global stage and “we are so proud of the revolutionary and transformational leadership that he applied to put the African Development Bank on the global stage of competitiveness and institutional efficiency.”
He said that under Dr. Adesina’s presidency, Africa 50 was set up which became a first rate private equity infrastructure investment platform that has portfolio companies now worth over Seven Billion Dollars!
“His presidency powered multilevel institutional supports for Africa, including the African Union, Africa Centre for Disease Control, the African Continental Free Trade Area, etc, that run into over hundreds of millions of dollars. Over $225 billion in investment interests in Africa has been mobilized by African Investment Forum launched in 2018, among other unprecedented success stories.
“Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s transformational leadership has in the last ten years placed the AfDB on the zenith of global leadership in financial innovations. The application of ‘synthetic securitization’ by the bank in 2015, shortly after Dr. Adesina took over as president was unprecedented as it was the first multilateral development bank in the world to execute such. He led AfDB to lead globally in financial innovation and strategic interventions .
“The AfDB became the number one sought-after financial institution globally with G7 and G20 in active partnership with the Bank. This is partly due to the fact that throughout Dr. Adesina’s ten-year leadership, AfDB maintained stellar AAA-credit ratings. This was achieved despite the ravaging scourge of the Covid-19 pandemic that humbled and crippled many financial institutions worldwide.
“For these sterling performances, Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina deserves to be celebrated by all Nigerians as a good Ambassador of our dear nation, Nigeria.
‘We equally call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to bestow him with the country’s highest honor. If a foreign country like Kenya could honor him with that country’s highest honor, his home country should emulate that great gesture and do the needful. Let us celebrate our best materials when they are still alive.”
The Nigerian Youths for Good Governance (NYGG), said
Dr. Adesina’s tenure was marked by bold reforms, strategic innovations, and measurable progress across critical sectors. Under his stewardship:
The AfDB’s capital base tripled from $93 billion to $318 billion, enabling greater investment in infrastructure, health, agriculture, and education.
Over 565 million people were impacted through his flagship “High 5s” agenda:
Light Up and Power Africa
Feed Africa
Industrialize Africa
Integrate Africa
Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa
More than 25 million Africans gained access to electricity, 101 million achieved food security, and over $200 billion in investments were mobilized through the Africa Investment Forum.
The Bank became the leading multilateral lender for African infrastructure, with over $55 billion invested in transformative projects.
He successfully defended the integrity of the Bank and championed Africa’s voice on the global stage, particularly in advocating for just energy transitions, debt sustainability, and climate justice.
*A Legacy of Visionary Leadership*
Dr. Adesina’s visionary policies and developmental philosophy have left an indelible mark not only on AfDB but on the continent at large. His approach demonstrated that African solutions can solve African challenges — with strategic leadership, bold investment, and a commitment to excellence.
As he steps down, Dr. Adesina leaves behind a stronger, more resilient, and forward-looking African Development Bank. His leadership will serve as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of African leaders and policymakers.’
The Committed Advocates of Integrity Initiative (CADII) said as a group that champion leaders who exemplify integrity, boldness, and commitment to sustainable development, Dr. Adesina embodies these values in full measure.
“During his presidency, he redefined the development paradigm across Africa through his signature High 5 Agenda – a visionary blueprint that prioritized Lighting Up and Powering Africa, Feeding Africa, Industrializing Africa, Integrating Africa, and Improving the Quality of Life for Africans.
These priorities were not mere slogans, but action-driven goals that touched lives, empowered nations, and repositioned Africa as a continent of opportunities. Under Dr. Adesina’s watch, the AfDB was not just a bank – it was a catalyst for hope and progress. His leadership attracted billions in investments, championed climate resilience, and advanced digital and agricultural innovation at scale.
“Before his tenure at AfDB, Dr. Adesina had already carved his name into the annals of Nigerian public service history as an exceptional Minister of Agriculture under President Goodluck Jonathan. He led a revolution in the agricultural sector, eliminating corruption in fertilizer distribution, introducing the e-wallet system, and turning agriculture into a business, not just a development program.
“Through his reforms, he launched the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. The Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!) program that revolutionized Nigerian agriculture. Millions of Nigerian farmers regained their voice, and agriculture emerged as a strong pillar of economic growth, which laid the foundation for Nigeria’s transition from a food-importing to a food-producing nation.
As you move into your next chapter, know that the Committed Advocates of Integrity Initiative CADII, and indeed all of Africa, stand with you. You have raised the bar. You have shown what is possible. We offer our heartfelt gratitude, and our best wishes.
