By Tony Obiechina Abuja
Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has called for a re-examination of governance systems in Africa to achieve an African Renaissance.
Obasanjo said this while speaking on the topic “African Renaissance in an Era of Turbulence: Are the Lions Still on the Move?” at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja on Thursday.
He noted that Africa’s progress depended on the ability of its leaders to work and move together and prioritise the continent’s interests.
He pointed out that in the 1980s, Ethiopia had a terrible drought which threatened its food security, adding that the country later overcame the situation, and became a net exporter of wheat.
According to him, “How come we cannot feed ourselves”?
Obasanjo also called for a review of current democratic principles in Africa, recommending a return to communism.
He said Africa needed to internalise and interrogate western liberal democracy as it’s no longer delivering results.
The former president said this would ensure that those aspects which are not relevant to society were reviewed.
He said unlike in Nigeria where the opposition voice is crushed and seen as an enemy, everybody works together in a communal ideology.
“Before the advent of colonialism we work together…time has come to say its (democracy) not working for us,” he said.
He added that democracy appeared to have been monetised serving the selfish interest of those in power.
He said Africa must nonetheless, continue with positive initiatives such as the AfCFTA among others.
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He said, “Afrexim has made currency to trade within. Why look for euro and dollar? Why can’t we transact in local currencies?
He urged central banks to unite towards making African local currencies more relevant in African trade.
Among other things, he said waste and corruption could continue to hamper growth and development of the continent
