*Dr Goodluck Jonathan.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on African countries to prioritise investment in research-intensive universities, science and technology as part of efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth, industrialisation and economic sovereignty.
Jonathan made the call on Sunday while participating in the closing panel of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, where African leaders and other stakeholders discussed strategies for advancing the continent’s geopolitical and economic transformation.
The former Nigerian president stressed that Africa’s ability to create productive opportunities for its growing youth population and compete effectively in the global economy would depend largely on its capacity to generate knowledge, develop technology and translate research into industrial and commercial ventures.
He described research-intensive universities as critical institutions for national development, noting that they serve as centres of knowledge production, scientific research, innovation and advanced skills development.
According to him, such institutions must be deliberately strengthened to enable African countries to build the human capital and technological capabilities required to drive industrial growth and reduce dependence on foreign technologies.
Jonathan pointed to the experiences of countries such as India, Singapore and South Korea as examples of how sustained investment in scientific and technological capabilities can support industrial development, encourage innovation and build globally competitive economies.
He argued that Africa must draw lessons from these countries by placing greater emphasis on research, technological advancement and the practical application of knowledge to economic development.
The former president maintained that the continent could no longer afford to remain predominantly a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere but must position itself as a producer and exporter of technology, knowledge and innovation.
He identified sustained investment in science, engineering, digital technologies and applied research as essential to achieving this objective.
Jonathan also called for stronger collaboration among universities, industries and governments to ensure that research findings translate into practical solutions, productive enterprises and employment opportunities.
He noted that closer partnerships between academic institutions and the private sector would help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial application, while enabling African economies to develop homegrown solutions to their peculiar challenges.
The former Nigerian leader further emphasised the need to equip young Africans with the knowledge, technical skills and entrepreneurial capacity required not only to participate in the global economy but also to influence its direction.
He said the continent’s youthful population represented an important resource for its transformation, provided governments created the conditions for young people to develop their talents, pursue innovation and establish productive businesses.
Jonathan’s remarks at the forum placed education, scientific research and technological innovation at the centre of discussions on Africa’s long-term economic transformation.
He stressed that the continent’s quest for economic sovereignty must be anchored in its ability to develop indigenous knowledge, harness local ingenuity and build enterprises capable of creating value from its human and material resources.
“Africa’s transformation and economic sovereignty must be built on African knowledge, driven by African ingenuity and sustained by African enterprise,” he said.
The 12th Tana High-Level Forum brought together African leaders and other stakeholders to exchange perspectives on the continent’s security, governance and development challenges, as well as the strategies required to strengthen Africa’s capacity to address them.