President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on African leaders to abandon dependence on foreign blueprints and shift towards policy-driven governance to propel the continent forward. He emphasized that Africa’s progress lies in visionary leadership that sees policy as a tool for change, not just a slogan.
He expressed these views on Thursday in Abuja at the Dr. Kayode Fayemi commemorative symposium and the launch of the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement, themed “Renewing the Pan-African Ideal for the Changing Times: The Policy and Leadership Challenges and Opportunities.”
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu criticized what he called “the tragedy of our time”, where African leaders rely on foreign solutions and fail to free themselves from a client-state mentality and governance by hashtag activism.
Africa Must Take Control of Its Development
- Tinubu stressed that Africa must innovate rather than rely on external aid.
- He stated:
“The world is not waiting for Africa to catch up. While others parse data, we litigate history. While they engineer futures, we cling to old carriages.”
- He lamented the overreliance on foreign institutions and ideologies, urging African nations to become creators, not just consumers.
Amandla Institute: A Solution to Africa’s Leadership Deficiency
- Tinubu lauded the Amandla Institute as a platform to train leaders who prioritize execution over rhetoric.
- He called for leaders who see Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a collaborator, not a competitor.
- He emphasized that Africa’s youth must be empowered to innovate, stating:
“What they lack is not ideas, but ecosystems—systems where policy, funding, and political will converge to scale their genius.”
Pan-Africanism for the 21st Century
- President Tinubu urged African leaders to evolve from custodians of power to architects of platforms.
- He envisioned an Africa where:
- Every government ministry has AI strategists.
- Trade policies are drafted by homegrown think tanks instead of foreign consultants.
- “Made in Africa” signifies not just raw materials, but also technology, green energy, and cultural exports.
- He also called on Amandla Institute to market Africa to the world as a partner, not a recipient of aid.
“Africa seeks collaboration, not patronage. We are not a testing ground for experiments but equals in co-creating solutions.”
Former South African President Mbeki on Africa’s Leadership Crisis
- Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, delivered a keynote address, highlighting leadership failure as the reason Africa has failed to meet development targets.
- He noted that in a rapidly changing global order, Africa must prepare to position itself correctly to be an active player in global decision-making.
- Mbeki stated:
“Our continent must develop leadership capable of defending and advancing our vast interests within a multipolar world.”
Dignitaries in Attendance
Among the high-profile attendees were:
- United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed
- Former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon
- Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar
- Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki
- Governors Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo)
- Traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s speech reaffirmed the need for African leaders to prioritize execution over empty promises. He urged the Amandla Institute to train leaders who will drive Africa’s development through practical policy-making, innovation, and strategic global positioning.
