BBC Africa Apologises for Describing Akinwunmi Adesina as ‘Flamboyant’

Malik Yahya/

BBC Africa has apologised for referring to the reelected President of Africa Development Bank as “flamboyant Nigerian banker” in a report it published yesterday.

While reporting on Adesina’s historic election, the news medium had described him as ‘flamboyant’ in its headline.

It also erroneously described him as Chairman, instead of President, of the regional bank.

The description was followed by backlash from many Nigerians.

However, in a tweet today BBC Africa admitted its error and said it had made the necessary corrections to the report.

It tweeted, “We have removed the description of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as “flamboyant”. We recognise this – absolutely unintentionally – may have caused offence, and is irrelevant to the story. We have also corrected his title to African Development Bank president.”

In its latest report, which it retitled, ‘Nigerian re-elected to top Africa bank job’, the medium referred to Adesina as, “a charismatic speaker, who is known for his elegant suits and bow ties…..”.

Adesina, a former agriculture minister, ran unopposed and gained 100% of the votes cast at the AfDB’s annual meeting, held via video link, to secure a second term.

Whistleblowers had accused him of giving contracts to friends and appointing relatives at the bank, allegations which he denied.

His re-election came after an independent panel, set up under the direction of US Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, last month upheld a decision of the AfDB’s ethics committee to clear him of all charges.

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