A former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, has called on African leaders to establish and fund institutions that support Africa-led research.
Speaking on Monday in Ota, Ogun State, Okebukola said such initiatives would reduce Africa’s heavy reliance on developed countries for research and innovation.
He emphasised the need for investment in key sectors, including history, medicine, agriculture, and environmental science.
“When Africans produce knowledge and solutions to their own problems, it challenges the perception that external expertise is always necessary,” he said.
Okebukola added that continent-led research would allow African leaders to shape the global narrative by providing an authentic perspective on Africa’s history and challenges.
He further noted that implementing such policies could help eliminate the internalised inferiority complex prevalent in many developing countries.