By Funsho Arogundade
The Nigerian power elite took over the beautiful city of Abidjan on Saturday February 8 to honour one of Africa’s best brains and President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Ayodeji Adesina who celebrated his 65th birthday. All roads led to the Palais des Congrès, Sofitel Hotel in the heart of Cote d’Ivoire’s commercial capital for the celebration of unarguably the most consequential president in the bank’s history. This birthday presents a moment of reflection, not only on Adesina’s illustrious career, but also on his unwavering commitment to Africa’s progress.
While the AfDB, as a world-class financial institution, cannot allocate any resources to personal celebrations, this has not dampened the enthusiasm of those eager to recognise Adesina’s exceptional contributions. The atmosphere inside Sofitel that night was electric as the famous Veentage Band entertained the invited luminaries with roasters of popular hit songs. These powerful figures —including Nigeria’s former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, scores of present and past governors; ministers; billionaire magnates and boardroom gurus, who attended the fête were full of praises and admiration for Adesina who has upheld the ethical principles governing the bank with a testament to the institutional rigour that has earned AfDB the distinction of being the world’s premier development bank. The gathering of these powerful friends and relations in Abidjan made the night a sort of pre-sent forth soiree for Adesina, whose second and last term as AfDB’s eighth elected President will end on August 31 2025 and will be returning home from September 1, 2025.