By Samson Yaki Bako
Renowned Kenyan scholar, Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, has called on African leaders, universities and citizens to take deliberate action to rebuild the continent from within, warning that Africa’s continued dependence on foreign systems is undermining its development.
Professor Lumumba made the call in Nasarawa State University Keffi while delivering a convocation lecture on the theme, “Universities Leadership of African Renaissance: Re-Imagining Knowledge for Development in the 21st Century”.
Lumumba said the continent must urgently redefine its identity, reform its education system and prioritise local production to secure its future in the 21st century.
“Africa is superior to the world,” he said, stressing that the continent’s failure to reach its full potential reflects “unfinished work” rather than incapacity.
The scholar argued that Africa’s greatest challenge is not lack of resources or history, but a persistent crisis of confidence rooted in colonial legacies that continue to shape institutions and mindsets.
He criticised African education systems for producing graduates tailored to sustain foreign economies instead of addressing local needs, posing critical questions about the purpose and direction of university training across the continent.
“What kind of education? For what purpose? For whom?” he asked, urging institutions to rethink their curricula and align learning with Africa’s development priorities.
The lecture, which was held as part of activities marking the 8th Combined Convocation and Silver Jubilee celebration of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Lumumba said universities must become centres of innovation, industrialisation and problem-solving, capable of driving economic transformation.
He emphasised the need for higher institutions to play a central role in national development, rather than remaining detached from societal challenges.
He raised concerns over Africa’s dependence on foreign expertise in key sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare and technology, describing it as a symptom of a deeper lack of belief in local capacity.
The legal scholar also called for increased investment in science, technology and research, urging African countries to harness their natural resources through local value addition rather than exporting raw materials.
According to him, Africa must position itself as a producer in emerging global sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy and digital innovation, instead of remaining a consumer.
He further advocated stronger intra-African collaboration, including harmonisation of educational systems and expansion of trade, to enable the free movement of knowledge and skills across borders.
Lumumba noted that the continent’s aspirations, as outlined in African Union’s Agenda 2063, would remain unattainable without concrete institutional reforms and sustained commitment from governments and stakeholders.
He urged a shift towards practical, solution-driven education that equips graduates with skills to tackle challenges in agriculture, healthcare, engineering and governance.
“There must be a rededication to producing what we consume,” he said, stressing that self-reliance is critical to Africa’s long-term stability and growth.
Lumumba warned that Africa stands at a decisive moment, with its growing population and abundant resources offering both opportunity and risk, depending on the choices made now.
“The concept of the university as an ivory tower is dead,” he declared, calling for immediate transformation of higher education into engines of development.
He challenged Africans to take responsibility for the continent’s future, insisting that meaningful progress will require deliberate effort, institutional reform and a renewed belief in Africa’s potential.
The event brought together key stakeholders in governance, academia and diplomacy, underscoring the institution’s growing national and international profile as it marks 25 years of existence.
Among those in attendance were former Governor of Nasarawa State and founder of the university, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; representatives of the Tanzanian High Commission to Nigeria; the incumbent Governor of Nasarawa State Engr. Abdullahi Sule; past Vice Chancellors of the institution; the Chancellor of the University; commissioners, and other prominent personalities.