A civic group, Committed Advocates of Integrity Initiative (CADII), has hailed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina for what it described as “trailblazing, transparent, and transformational leadership” as he rounds off his ten-year tenure as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
In a press statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the Executive Director of CADII, Comrade Charles C. Agubor, said Adesina’s legacy stands tall as a model of integrity-driven leadership across the continent.
“Dr. Adesina is a rare breed—a leader who fused vision with values. His impact at the AfDB was not just institutional, but continental,” Agubor stated.
CADII highlighted Adesina’s flagship “High 5 Agenda” which prioritized Lighting Up and Powering Africa, Feeding Africa, Industrializing Africa, Integrating Africa, and Improving the Quality of Life for the people of Africa.
“These were not mere slogans,” the statement said, “but transformative actions that reshaped lives, economies, and governance across Africa.”
The group further praised Adesina’s earlier role as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, where he introduced the e-wallet system for fertilizer distribution, eliminated corruption in the sector, and led a shift from subsistence to agribusiness.
“His reforms restored dignity to millions of farmers and repositioned agriculture as a viable engine of economic growth,” Agubor noted.
CADII, known for promoting ethical leadership and accountability in governance, said Dr. Adesina’s record should serve as a blueprint for both present and future African leaders.
“As integrity advocates, we celebrate a man who refused to compromise on values. He took bold decisions that made Africa believe in itself again,” the statement concluded.
Dr. Adesina, a former recipient of the World Food Prize, bows out of the AfDB after a decade marked by development finance innovation, continental partnerships, and a passionate pursuit of Africa’s prosperity.
