General Yakubu Gowon opened the series of activities celebrating his 90th birthday anniversary with a lecture delivered by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of African Development Bank (AfDB). In the paper, Dr. Adesina, clearly Nigeria’s most influential developmental economist, lays out a comprehensive vision for Nigeria, addressing the country’s fundamental challenges – poverty, insecurity, food security, education, infrastructure and energy. These are critical developmental issues that automatically resonate with the electorate, especially given the current state of hardship in the country. His focus on transforming Nigeria into a “Global Nigeria” echoes the aspirations of entire Nigerians, desiring progress, prosperity and global relevance.
To all intents and purposes, the thrust of the messages in the paper forms the bedrock of a presidential campaign manifesto, as it reflects the core areas where urgent reform is today needed. By directly addressing these concerns, the paper has positioned Dr. Adesina as the needed visionary leader who can rescue the nation from its current trajectory and lead it toward an era of renewed greatness. His optimism of a “Global Nigeria” is most reassuring.
Instructively, Dr. Adesina speaks to the heart of governance – solving real problems like poverty alleviation, food security, infrastructure and industrialization – which are areas where the current government is perceived as underperforming. This directly contrasts with the incumbent leadership, offering Nigerians a clear alternative – a leadership with detailed, actionable plans.
Also, delivering this paper at the 90th birthday anniversary of General Yakubu Gowon, a respected elder statesman, in the presence of top Nigerian elites, is symbolic; as the event was attended by former presidents, military generals and key stakeholders, many of whom hold significant influence over national political discourse. By delivering a policy-oriented and visionary speech in such a context, Adesina categorically aligns himself with the legacy of unity, nation-building and good governance that Gowon represents, sending a signal that he is the candidate capable of fostering national unity and progress.
Moreover, by addressing the core issues plaguing Nigeria in front of such an elite audience, with an apt slogan of “Global Nigeria”, Adesina becomes the “thinking man’s candidate,” someone with both the intellectual capacity and international experience and contacts to handle Nigeria’s complex challenges. This will obviously appeal to the political class, intellectual elites and middle class who are frustrated with the status quo.
What is important now is sustaining this momentum as a veritable campaign material. And to do so, it only needs to continuously reiterate the core themes throughout the public domain. By consistently referring to the statistics he mentioned, such as the 63% poverty rate or the $29 billion annual loss due to unreliable electricity, it can keep voters focused on the urgent need for change. We could also build on the policy solutions he outlined, such as Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, investments in education and infrastructure, showing voters that he is not only diagnosing the country’s problems but also providing practical, well-thought-out solutions. Also poignantly, the $100 Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank to support the businesses of the youth in Nigeria approved by the AfDB put the Nigerian youths right in the centre of developmental scheme and growth.
It is therefore incumbent upon all patriotic Nigerians to leverage on social media, town halls and grassroots mobilization to disseminate the key ideas of this paper widely, ensuring that its messages resonate with the everyday Nigerian who seeks leadership that addresses their realities. Regularly highlighting the failures of the current administration in these areas, juxtaposed with his own proposals, will create a strong contrast between himself and the incumbent.
Dr. Adesina’s background as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and his previous role as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, gives him substantial experience in high-level leadership, economic management and international development. His actions, such as leading AfDB’s investments in Nigeria’s energy sector and agricultural value chains, speak to his commitment to development. The comprehensive nature of the paper showcases his deep understanding of Nigeria’s most pressing issues and his capacity to lead transformative change. His emphasis on agriculture, industrialisation and global competitiveness reflects an experienced leader with a global outlook, capable of positioning Nigeria to lead Africa’s economic renaissance.
Given Nigeria’s current state – rampant poverty, insecurity and decaying infrastructure – Adesina’s track record in successfully implementing reforms, like the e-wallet system for farmers, highlights his competence in executing practical solutions. His wide network of international contacts also places him in a strong position to attract foreign investments and forge international partnerships that can aid Nigeria’s development. In contrast to the incumbent’s perceived lack of vision or effective reforms, Adesina’s approach appears far more result-oriented and capable of driving the urgent change Nigerians desire.
The significance of Gowon’s event and Adesina’s role in it, attended by Nigeria’s political and military elite figures, cannot be overstated. General Yakubu Gowon, a symbol of national unity, lends credibility to the occasion and Adesina delivering the keynote lecture suggests implicit endorsement by most of these influential figures. The presence of former presidents, military leaders and key stakeholders from across Nigeria’s ethnic and religious divide reinforces Adesina’s appeal as a unifying figure, capable of gaining support across Nigeria’s fault lines.
The content of the paper also highlights Adesina’s ability to bridge the gap between the North and South, Christians and Muslims, by addressing poverty in the North and Nigeria’s broader economic challenges. His emphasis on education, youth employment and industrialization appeals to a diverse audience, including Edo Northern elites, the educated middle class, and the business community. This event and lecture, therefore, put Adesina as the candidate for national unity, development and progress, aligning him with the legacy of Nigeria’s immediate post-independence era of unity, patriotism and nation-building.
In conclusion, the quality content of Dr. Adesina’s paper, passionately delivered in such a prestigious setting, serves both as a manifesto and campaign strategy for the most potential presidential bid. His knowledge, competence and experience, combined with a well-thought-out policy framework, place him as a credible challenger to the incumbent national leadership.
The lecture serves as a powerful endorsement of his capabilities by Nigeria’s highest elite for Nigeria’s presidency, signaling to the public that Adesina is the undisputed candidate who can deliver the urgent change Nigeria needs.
* Dr Umar Ardo, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Adamawa State in the 2023 elections, a position he contested for four times under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
