Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that the poor ranking of African universities could undermine the continent’s development and economic growth.
Jonathan raised the concern while stressing the importance of strengthening higher education institutions across Africa to produce the skilled workforce and knowledge needed to drive sustainable development.
According to him, universities play a critical role in shaping the future of nations through research, innovation, human capital development and the production of professionals capable of addressing societal challenges.
He noted that the inability of many African universities to compete favourably with institutions in other parts of the world could have serious consequences for the continent’s growth prospects.
The former president called for greater investment in education, particularly university education, saying African governments must prioritise funding for infrastructure, research, technology and academic development.
He also emphasised the need for African institutions to improve their global competitiveness and create an environment that encourages innovation and intellectual development.
Jonathan’s remarks come amid concerns over the position of several African universities in global rankings, with stakeholders increasingly calling for reforms in the continent’s higher education sector.
He maintained that improving the quality of African universities would not only enhance the continent’s educational standards but also strengthen its capacity to compete in the global economy.
The former president urged governments, educational institutions and other stakeholders to work together to reverse the trend and ensure that African universities become centres of excellence capable of producing solutions to the continent’s economic and social challenges.
