Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed concern over the poor global ranking of African universities, warning that the trend could hinder the continent’s technological advancement and industrial development.
Jonathan spoke on Monday while delivering a lecture titled “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa” to participants of National Defence College Course 34 in Abuja.
The former Nigerian President said Africa could not achieve meaningful technological development and industrialisation without strengthening its education system and establishing specialised universities capable of producing the skilled workforce needed to drive innovation.
Jonathan lamented that no African university was ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions, while only the University of Cape Town featured among the top 200, describing the situation as “terribly bad.”
“We must review and recalibrate our businesses from the primary schools to the universities. We don’t have any specialised universities in Africa. It’s terribly bad,” he said.
Jonathan Urges Investment in Education, Human Capital
The former President urged African leaders to prioritise investment in education and human capital development, stressing that the continent’s greatest resource was increasingly its human capital and intellectual capacity.
Citing Singapore as an example, Jonathan said the country’s transformation from a resource-poor nation into a globally competitive economy was largely driven by deliberate investment in education, skills development and capacity building.
He also pointed to India’s emergence as a global leader in information technology, saying its success was driven by deliberate investment in specialised institutions designed to develop highly skilled professionals.
“India, at independence from the British, set up institutions that prepared India for the future. They set up specialised institutions, not for everybody. They are training their best brains to control and dominate the world,” Jonathan said.
He said African countries must move away from an education system that focuses primarily on producing graduates without the specialised skills required by modern economies.
According to him, African governments should establish institutions that promote innovation and strengthen capacity in science, technology, engineering and information technology, particularly among young people.
Jonathan warned that Africa risked being left behind by the current technological revolution if urgent measures were not taken to develop its human capital.
“If we miss out from industrial revolution, agri-revolution, all the revolutions, IT is now ruling the world. We cannot continue to lag behind. We must focus on young people,” he said.
Africa Must Add Value to Natural Resources
Jonathan also said Africa’s abundant natural resources would not automatically translate into prosperity unless countries developed the capacity to convert those resources into high-value goods and services.
He noted that the continent possessed vast natural resources, a large market and significant human capital but had continued to lag behind other regions in industrialisation and value addition.
The former President said technology should therefore be placed at the centre of Africa’s industrialisation strategy, noting that the world’s wealthiest economies were increasingly being driven by knowledge, innovation and technology rather than natural resources alone.
He urged participants of the National Defence College, whom he described as emerging strategic leaders, to champion policies that would strengthen education, technological capacity and industrial development in their respective countries.
Jonathan acknowledged that transforming Africa’s education and industrial sectors would take time but said sustained political commitment and determination could change the continent’s fortunes.
“We cannot achieve that overnight, but with a commitment by the leaders, a determination by the citizens, we can still change the story of Africa,” he said.
Defence Minister Calls for Stronger Institutions
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), called on Nigeria and other African countries to build resilient institutions and invest in infrastructure, technology and human capital while strengthening regional cooperation.
Musa said strengthening Nigeria’s defence autonomy was critical to achieving sustainable economic growth, national resilience and security.
He stressed that security and prosperity were mutually reinforcing, warning that sustainable development could not thrive in an environment of insecurity.
“Lasting peace cannot be sustained without inclusive economic growth, just as sustainable development cannot flourish in an environment of insecurity,” the minister said.
Musa described industrial capacity as a strategic imperative, saying a resilient industrial base would improve economic competitiveness, create productive employment and strengthen national resilience.
The Defence Minister commended Jonathan for his insights, saying industrial capacity was “no longer merely an economic aspiration but a strategic imperative.”
He said Africa’s natural and human resources must be converted into value-added production, technological innovation and sustainable prosperity if the continent was to realise its full potential.
Musa Urges NDC Graduates to Drive National Development
The minister also stressed the importance of continental economic cooperation, particularly through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He urged African countries to pursue policies that promote industrialisation, innovation, economic integration and shared prosperity.
Musa charged the graduating participants of Course 34 to apply the knowledge and networks acquired at the National Defence College to strengthen national resilience, promote economic development and enhance peace and security when they return to their respective Services, Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He said the participants were graduating at a time when strategic leadership was “more critical than ever” and urged them to champion integrated approaches to national security and development.
“The knowledge and networks you have acquired here must now translate into sound policy, innovative thinking and effective leadership,” Musa said.
The minister congratulated the graduating participants and commended the National Defence College for its contribution to national capacity building and strategic leadership development.
