Wike Urges African Leaders To Embrace Bold Reforms For Continental Growth

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on African leaders to adopt visionary and accountable governance that drives development across the continent.

He made the appeal while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Innovate Africa Conference held at the ECOWAS Conference Hall in Abuja on Thursday, October 23. The conference, organised by Innovate Africa Corporation, brought together African leaders, investors, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the future of leadership and investment in Africa.

Wike expressed gratitude to the organisers for the opportunity to speak and for honouring him with the Innovate Africa Leadership Award 2025. He dedicated the recognition to Nigerians and commended President Bola Tinubu for creating an environment that allows transformative leadership to thrive. He noted that Africa’s challenges stem largely from leadership failures and weak institutions, despite the continent’s rich natural and human resources.

Addressing the continent’s current situation, Wike described Africa as a land of vast potential constrained by infrastructural decay, policy instability, and poor governance. He said the key to unlocking Africa’s growth lies in leadership that is visionary, selfless, and people-centered. According to him, leadership determines whether the continent’s abundant resources become tools for progress or sources of continued dependence. He explained that the continent cannot move forward if leaders remain transactional, driven by personal gain instead of public service.

Wike urged African leaders to embrace transformational leadership built on courage, accountability, and service. He said the 21st century requires leaders who inspire trust, act decisively, and create systems that reward merit and innovation over mediocrity. He cited his experience in Abuja’s ongoing infrastructural renewal as proof that strong leadership and strategic investment can transform cities and economies. He also commended President Tinubu’s courage in removing fuel subsidies and decentralising governance, noting that such difficult decisions are essential for long-term stability and growth.

Speaking on investment, Wike called for a shift from dependency on foreign aid to self-driven, homegrown development. He argued that true progress cannot come from handouts but from innovation, productivity, and internal investment. He described Africa’s youth as the continent’s greatest resource and urged governments to invest in education, technology, and entrepreneurship to unlock their potential. According to him, when the right environment is created through stable power, transparent policies, and functional infrastructure, investors—both local and foreign—will naturally respond.

The minister also reflected on Africa’s economic history, recalling the Lagos Plan of Action adopted in 1980 and linking its vision to the ongoing African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He described the AfCFTA as a modern pathway to economic freedom, positioning Africa to trade and produce for itself rather than depend on external economies. He said regional integration remains key to breaking free from the cycle of underdevelopment and dependency.

Wike concluded by urging African nations to believe in their abilities and work collectively toward a shared vision of progress. He said Africa’s transformation will depend on the unity between leadership and citizens, with both sides playing active roles in building a future driven by service, innovation, and integrity. He challenged participants at the conference to move from talk to action, stressing that the time to rebuild Africa is now and that the continent’s destiny must be shaped by Africans themselves.