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US demands investigation into African Development Bank’s Decision.
The United States Department of Treasury has requested an independent investigation into allegations leveled against the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina.
Some staff of the AfDB had accused Adesina of 20 breaches of the bank’s code of conduct, including “unethical conduct, private gain, an impediment to efficiency, preferential treatment, and involvement in political activities”. The bank’s ethics committee carried out an independent investigation headed by Takuji Yano and cleared Adesina, insisting he was not guilty on all counts.
However, in a letter by US Treasury Secretary, Stephen Mnuchin dated 22nd May and addressed to Niale Kaba, chair of AfDB’s board of governors, rejected the findings by the ethics committee of the bank that “totally exonerated” Adesina and has called for a deeper investigation. The US Treasury owns the largest non-African stake in the bank.
Read the full text of the letter below
THE UNITED STATES RECEIVED YOUR LETTER OF MAY 5, IN WHICH YOU SHARE YOUR VIEW THAT THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK SHOULD ADOPT THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE BANK’S ETHICS COMMITTEE AND DECLARE THAT THE PRESIDENT IS “TOTALLY EXONERATED OF ALL THE ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST HIM.” OUR CONSTITUENCY CANNOT MAKE SUCH A DECLARATION AT THIS TIME. WE HAVE DEEP RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE COMMITTEE’S PROCESS.
INSTEAD, WE URGE YOU TO INITIATE AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION OF THE ALLEGATIONS USING THE SERVICES OF AN INDEPENDENT OUTSIDE INVESTIGATOR OF HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDING. WE EMPHASIZE THAT UNDERTAKING AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF FACTS, AT ANY STAGE, IS NOT AT ODDS WITH A PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.
THE ALLEGATIONS SET OUT IN THE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT SUBMITTED ON JANUARY 19, 2020, RAISE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THAT ALL RELEVANT GOVERNING BODIES OF THE BANK MUST HANDLE WITH THE UTMOST CARE, USING ALL TOOLS AVAILABLE TO THEM. HAD THE ETHICS COMMITTEE UNDERTAKEN A PROPER PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION THAT WAS IN LINE WITH THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS RESOLUTION B/BG/2008/L 1, STANDARD PRACTICES AT OTHER INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THE BANK’S OWN RULES AND PROCEDURES, IT WOULD HAVE REVIEWED AVAILABLE FACTS THAT COULD BE GATHERED BY EXTERNAL COUNSEL AND FOUND IN INTERNAL BANK RECORDS.
WE FEAR THAT WHOLESALE DISMISSAL OF ALL ALLEGATIONS WITHOUT APPROPRIATE INVESTIGATION WILL TARNISH THE REPUTATION OF THIS INSTITUTION AS ONE THAT DOES NOT UPHOLD HIGH STANDARDS OF ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE. THIS IS A SERIOUS RISK WHEN WE NEED STRONG CONFIDENCE IN THE AFDB TO PLAY AN INFLUENTIAL ROLE IN THE CURRENT GLOBAL ECONOMIC AND HEALTH CRISIS, AND WHEN MANY SHAREHOLDERS ARE SEEKING LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR PAYMENTS UNDER THE RECENTLY-CONCLUDED GENERAL CAPITAL INCREASE.
THEREFORE, THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SUPPORT DISMISSING THE ALLEGATIONS AT THIS STAGE. WE BELIEVE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT THIS INSTITUTION TAKES GOVERNANCE, ANTI-CORRUPTION, AND TRANSPARENCY SERIOUSLY. WE THUS REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE STEPS TO INITIATE AN IMPARTIAL, INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THESE ALLEGATIONS. WHATEVER THE OUTCOME, THE AFDB WILL EMERGE STRONGER FOR HAVING TAKEN SERIOUSLY ITS OBLIGATIONS TO UPHOLD GOOD GOVERNANCE.
THE UNITED STATES SINCERELY WISHES THE AFDB TO REMAIN A HIGH-QUALITY INSTITUTION WITH THE CAPABILITY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT, PARTICULARLY AT THIS CRITICAL TIME. CONSIDERING THE SCOPE, SERIOUSNESS AND DETAIL OF THESE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE SOLE CANDIDATE FOR BANK LEADERSHIP OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WE BELIEVE THAT FURTHER INQUIRY IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE AFDB’S PRESIDENT HAS BROAD SUPPORT, CONFIDENCE, AND A CLEAR MANDATE FROM SHAREHOLDERS.
PLEASE ACCEPT OUR REGARDS AND APPRECIATION FOR CONSIDERING OUR REQUEST.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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