IN a stark wake-up call at the 2023 School of Politics, Policy and Governance graduation ceremony in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, and Kenyan activist, Boniface Mwangi, emphasised the pressing need for transformational leadership in Africa. They argued that the continent’s future prosperity hinges on decisive action to reshape its political landscape.
Obiageli Ezekwesili, a prominent advocate for good governance and economic development, shed light on the persistent challenge of poor leadership affecting Africa’s economic growth. Ezekwesili underscored the urgency of implementing structural changes in African politics, urging leaders from various sectors to unite in altering the negative narrative that has plagued the continent for too long.
According to Ezekwesili, data unequivocally reveals that Africa’s current state of affairs is incompatible with sustainable development. She asserted that embracing democracy is crucial, drawing attention to historical evidence that showcases prosperity for countries that have taken this path.
She stated, ‘As you listen to our brothers and sisters from various countries on the continent, you can see that it is a common denominator for Africans to mourn the absence of quality leadership. Competitiveness and productivity are all based on empirical data. So, if we know all those things as evidence abounds, we cannot then sit back and hope that somehow change will come.’
Boniface Mwangi, a Kenyan activist, echoed Ezekwesili’s sentiments, stressing that Africa’s most pressing issue is its leadership crisis. He pinpointed an overemphasis on religion as a contributing factor to the continent’s underdevelopment. Mwangi called for a shift in focus towards younger generations, advocating for their active involvement in politics to counteract the influence of an older class he deemed as ‘neocolonial stooges.’
Mwangi said: ‘Our leaders have copied the white man’s ways… So we have 10 billionaires and a billion poor in Africa, and that needs to be fixed. The biggest mistake the young people have made in this continent is to serve the old people… So we need to think how do we have across Africa a Pan African movement to fix our leadership because if we don’t fix our leadership, we will be doomed.’
In his impassioned address, Mwangi drew attention to the illicit flow of African wealth to advanced countries, highlighting the need for accountability and change.
Both Ezekwesili and Mwangi’s impassioned pleas for leadership reform in Africa underscore the critical importance of addressing this issue for the continent’s future economic prosperity. As Africa continues to grapple with development challenges, their calls for change serve as a clarion call for action and a reminder that transformational leadership is the key to unlocking the continent’s potential.