Nigeria, South Africa must lead Africa’s transformation – Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu has emphasised the critical role of Nigeria and South Africa in spearheading Africa’s transformation.

Speaking at the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) on Tuesday, President Tinubu called for a robust strategic partnership between the two nations to foster leadership, economic integration, and shared prosperity across the continent.

Addressing the event alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Tinubu highlighted the need to overcome persistent challenges hindering cooperation.

He urged both nations to focus on reshaping Africa’s global narrative, leveraging their combined potential as the continent’s two largest economies.

“The continent looks up to us; we cannot afford to fail it,” Tinubu asserted. He called for unity of purpose, warning of potential hostilities against their partnership’s success.

“If we are vigilant, committed, and persistent, we will surely soar like the eagles over the reach of predators,” he added.

Reflecting on the BNC’s 25-year history, President Tinubu noted progress, with over 30 operational Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements. However, he stressed the importance of turning agreements into tangible outcomes.

“Let us not count our successes by the number of MoUs and agreements signed. They will be mere papers until we implement them in spirit and letters. This is the job of our senior officials,” he emphasised.

Tinubu spotlighted the continent’s youth as its most valuable resource, urging stronger ties to harness their potential for development.

“Our most precious resource is the huge youth population in both countries. My administration has built an inclusive government with young people in charge of key sectors, believing their future starts now,” he said.

Acknowledging existing business collaborations, Tinubu called for deeper economic integration. While South African companies like MTN and Multichoice thrive in Nigeria, and Nigerian businesses such as Dangote Group and Access Bank operate in South Africa, Tinubu noted gaps that need addressing.

“Together, we can act as engines of economic integration and development in our respective sub-regions as well as on the continent,” he remarked.

President Tinubu also proposed joint action against illegal mining, which he described as a threat to Africa’s development. He urged both nations to lead global efforts to address the issue.

“Our natural resources are supposed to be mined for the betterment of our people. Illegal mining is robbing our nations of precious income and fomenting strife, poverty, and environmental degradation,” he warned.

Tinubu reflected on Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa during apartheid and South Africa’s reciprocal support during Nigeria’s struggle against military rule.

“This is the essence of brotherhood we seek for this continent: to stand side by side for liberation, democracy, and good governance,” he said.

President Tinubu further called for sustained unity and collaboration, emphasising that the success of the Nigeria-South Africa partnership is vital for Africa’s transformation and prosperity.