Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a major transformation of Africa’s education system, arguing that the continent cannot achieve meaningful technological advancement and industrialisation without universities that deliberately develop specialised skills.
Jonathan made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a lecture titled, “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa,” to participants of Course 34 of the National Defence College.
His central concern was Africa’s weak position in global university rankings and what this means for the continent’s ability to compete in a technology-driven world.
Jonathan lamented that no African university currently ranks among the world’s top 100, while only the University of Cape Town features among the top 200.
He described the situation as “terribly bad” and said African countries must rethink the way education is structured, from primary schools to universities.
“We don’t have any specialised universities in Africa. It’s terribly bad,” he said.
For Jonathan, the problem goes beyond the number of universities on the continent. He argued that Africa needs institutions deliberately designed to produce the specialised manpower required for technological advancement, industrialisation and economic transformation.
He pointed to India as an example, noting that the country established specialised institutions after independence to develop highly skilled professionals, particularly in areas that could position it for the future.
He also cited Singapore, saying its transformation from a country with limited natural resources into a prosperous economy was driven largely by deliberate investment in education and human capacity.
Jonathan’s argument is that Africa’s natural resources alone cannot guarantee prosperity. The continent must have people with the knowledge and technical abilities to transform those resources into valuable products, technologies and services.
He therefore urged African leaders to invest more deliberately in science, technology, engineering and information technology, particularly by creating institutions capable of nurturing the continent’s best young minds.
The former President warned that Africa could be left behind by the current technological revolution if it fails to strengthen its human capital.
“IT is now ruling the world. We cannot continue to lag. We must focus on young people,” he said.
His remarks also highlighted the connection between education and industrial development. According to him, an education system that produces large numbers of graduates without the specialised skills required by modern industries will struggle to support economic transformation.
He argued that African countries must therefore begin to ask whether their universities are producing the kind of graduates needed to solve the continent’s problems.
This includes strengthening specialised training, encouraging innovation and ensuring that universities are connected to the technological and industrial needs of their respective countries.
Jonathan also challenged African leaders to look beyond the continent’s raw materials. Africa has abundant natural resources, a large population and significant human capital, but much of its wealth remains unprocessed or exported without sufficient value addition.
Developing specialised institutions, he suggested, could help provide the engineers, scientists, technologists, researchers and other professionals required to change that situation.
He urged the 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 when they return to their various institutions.
According to him, transforming Africa will not happen overnight. It will require sustained political commitment, deliberate policies and determination from both leaders and citizens.
The Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), also emphasised the importance of industrial capacity to Nigeria’s development.
Musa said security and economic prosperity were closely connected, arguing that sustainable development cannot thrive where insecurity persists.
He described industrial capacity as a strategic necessity for Nigeria and Africa, noting that a strong industrial base could improve economic competitiveness, create productive employment and strengthen national resilience.
The minister also called for greater use of Africa’s natural and human resources to create value-added products, technological innovations and sustainable economic opportunities.
He stressed the importance of continental economic cooperation, particularly through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, saying African countries must work together to promote industrialisation and shared prosperity.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.