President Bola Tinubu has urged African leaders to abandon reliance on foreign blueprints and adopt homegrown solutions for development. Speaking at a symposium in Abuja, he emphasized the need for visionary leadership, self-reliance, and tech-driven progress, warning that Africa must actively build its future rather than depend on external influences.
President Bola Tinubu has urged African leaders to shift away from reliance on foreign models and instead adopt homegrown solutions to drive the continent’s development. Speaking at a symposium in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized that Africa cannot afford to depend on external strategies while the rest of the world advances.
He criticized what he called the "client-state mentality," where African nations continually look to foreign institutions for guidance instead of formulating their own policies. He warned that relying on external blueprints has kept the continent in a cycle of economic stagnation. According to him, progress will not come as a gift but must be intentionally built.
Tinubu highlighted the importance of technology and innovation, stressing that Africa's young population has the potential to drive growth through tech hubs and startups. However, he noted that beyond creativity, they need strong policy frameworks, funding, and political will to transform their ideas into scalable enterprises.
He urged African leaders to become “architects of platforms” rather than mere custodians of power. According to Tinubu, the continent must move beyond political rivalries and focus on fostering an ecosystem where African solutions are prioritized over foreign intervention.
The president concluded by calling for renewed Pan-Africanism that is action-driven, stating that Africa's future depends on its ability to break free from old dependencies and embrace sustainable, independent growth.
