Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has urged African nations to aggressively prioritise investment in research-intensive universities science and technology to unlock sustainable economic growth and achieve true economic sovereignty across the continent.
?Speaking on Sunday during the closing panel of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa held in Bahir Dar Ethiopia Jonathan warned that Africa can no longer afford to remain a passive consumer of foreign technologies. Instead he argued the continent must position itself as an active producer and exporter of knowledge and innovation.
?Addressing African leaders policymakers and international stakeholders the former president stressed that the continent’s ability to create productive jobs for its rapidly growing youth population hinges on its capacity to translate academic research into viable industrial and commercial ventures.
?Jonathan described research-intensive universities as critical engines of national development highlighting their pivotal role in generating knowledge conducting scientific research and training advanced skills
?’Africa’s transformation and economic sovereignty must be built on African knowledge driven by African ingenuity and sustained by African enterprise’ Jonathan declared during the panel discussion.
?He pointed to Asian and global economic success stories-specifically India Singapore and South Korea-as clear evidence that sustained state investment in scientific and technological infrastructure can transform developing economies into global industrial powerhouses.
?He said African governments must learn from these nations by channelling dedicated funding into science engineering digital technologies and applied research.
He advocated for a stronger formalised synergy between universities government agencies and the private sector.
?He noted that closer ties between higher institutions and industry would ensure research findings directly yield homegrown solutions spur new commercial enterprises and generate employment opportunities tailored to Africa’s unique socio-economic challenges.
?Highlighting the continent’s demographic advantage Jonathan emphasised that Africa’s large youth population is its most valuable resource for long-term transformation. However he cautioned that this potential can only be realised if governments deliberately create the enabling environment for young people to acquire advanced technical skills and pursue entrepreneurial innovation.
?He called on leaders to equip the younger generation with the tools needed not only to participate in the evolving global economy but to influence its direction actively
?The Tana High-Level Forum is an annual platform that brings together African heads of state experts and civil society leaders to address pressing security governance and development challenges facing the continent. Jonathan’s submission firmly placed educational reform and scientific sovereignty at the heart of Africa’s security and economic agenda.