Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister Akinwumi A. Adesina has been elected by African Development Bank’s Board of Governors as the bank’s new president, AfDB has announced.

"Akinwumi A. Adesina of Nigeria has been elected as the 8th President of the AfDB, to assume office on Sept. 1,” the bank announced on its Twitter handle moments ago.

Adesina, who will be replacing Rwanda’s Donald Kaberuka, beat a field of seven other contestants in a race earlier described as one of the closest in the bank’s history.

Kaberuka said the incoming AfDB president will do "a good job”. "My warmest congratulations to @akin_adesina elected President of @AfDB_Group. Look forward to hand over on Sept 1st. He willdo a great job,” he tweeted following the election.

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WHO'S ADESINA?

Born in February 6, 1960, Adesina is currently Nigeria’s minister for agriculture and rural development.

He holds a PhD and Masters degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University, US.

He obtained First Class Honours bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics from University of Ife, Nigeria.