BY DR DESMOND AGBAMA
The world, as created by God, is a single universal community composed of diverse peoples, cultures, traditions, and languages. Across continents and regions, differences in weather, climate, geography, and natural resources give each area its own unique character. This diversity, far from being a flaw, is an expression of divine wisdom—meant to enrich the human experience, not divide it. In God’s plan, the people of the earth were meant to coexist in peace and harmony, bound together by their shared humanity and common origin as members of the same species, homo sapiens.
Yet, in stark contrast to this divine vision, our world today is marked by growing hostility, disunity, and oppression. These conflicts are not born from nature or necessity, but from man’s selfish ambitions and the relentless quest for dominance. Powerful nations, armed with superior economic, military, technological, and scientific capabilities, have increasingly sought to subjugate weaker nations, using both overt force and more insidious forms of manipulation. These global powerhouses—countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Germany, China, and others—project influence not for mutual advancement, but to secure control, maintain supremacy, and drain the resources of vulnerable regions, particularly Africa.
Africa, rich in resources and human potential, remains one of the most exploited continents in the world. The colonial era may have officially ended, but its scars remain fresh, and its structures of control have merely evolved. The same powers that once partitioned Africa among themselves continue, by various means, to determine the fate of African nations. Rather than support their former colonies towards self-determination and development, these powers are often the ones fuelling instability, sponsoring division, and actively undermining the sovereignty of African states.
In this context, the reflections of Walter Rodney in his seminal work, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, remain profoundly relevant. Rodney exposed how colonialism deliberately weakened African systems, looted its wealth, and suppressed its cultural and political institutions. But he also pointed a finger inward—at African leaders who, instead of reclaiming autonomy, chose to serve foreign interests. Many post-independence African governments have willingly implemented policies dictated by the West: Structural Adjustment Programmes, currency devaluations, IMF and World Bank loan conditions—all of which have eroded economic self-sufficiency, crippled local industries, and deepened poverty.
The consequences of these externally driven policies are evident. Education systems across Africa are designed not to produce inventors or innovators, but to churn out workers who serve foreign economies. Infrastructure remains dilapidated, and in many countries, basic healthcare and utilities are unreliable or nonexistent. Meanwhile, foreign corporations continue to extract minerals, oil, and agricultural products from African soil at a fraction of their real value, only to sell them back as expensive finished goods. This deliberately skewed global trade structure has created a cycle of dependency that robs Africa of its potential for genuine development.
Worse still is the political interference that has destabilised many African nations. Coups, assassinations, and regime changes are too often linked to the hands of foreign intelligence and interests. Leaders who speak of African unity or resist Western influence tend to meet abrupt ends. Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso are just two among many visionary leaders who paid the ultimate price for daring to think independently and act in the interest of their people. Gaddafi, in particular, envisioned a strong, united Africa and spearheaded the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity into the African Union. His dream was to see a continent with one voice, one army, one currency, and one direction. That dream, for now, lies in tatters.
But the foreign powers are not solely to blame. Many African leaders have, regrettably, become complicit in the continued exploitation of their own people. Some eagerly seek validation and endorsement from colonial masters. Others enrich themselves while leaving their nations to rot. These leaders fail to invest in critical sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Instead, they maintain a culture of corruption, waste, and mismanagement, ensuring that the continent remains dependent and defenceless.
The tragedy of brain drain adds another layer to this crisis. Africa’s brightest minds—its doctors, engineers, scientists, academics, and entrepreneurs—are increasingly relocating to Europe, North America, and beyond in search of better opportunities. This mass exodus deprives the continent of the very human capital it needs to rise. Without skilled professionals, how can Africa hope to build strong institutions, sustain innovation, or develop its own industries? It cannot. The loss of its best talents is both a symptom and a cause of its underdevelopment.
If Africa must break free from this vicious cycle, it must start by recognising the problem and confronting it with unity, purpose, and political will. African leaders must resist the temptation of foreign aid that comes with strings attached. They must move from being beggars on the global stage to being builders of sovereign, self-sustaining nations. They must invest heavily in local industries, adopt policies that support indigenous enterprise, and impose restrictions on the export of raw materials. Any nation that wishes to benefit from Africa’s resources must establish production facilities within the continent, thereby creating jobs and retaining value.
Moreover, Africa must begin to teach its people that their languages, cultures, and traditions are not inferior but are central to their identity and development. Education systems should be tailored to reflect African realities and nurture critical thinking, creativity, and self-reliance. African youth must be empowered to innovate, not just imitate.
Security is another non-negotiable pillar of development. African countries must unite to establish a common defence system capable of countering insurgency, terrorism, and foreign-backed destabilisation.
The African Union and regional blocs such as ECOWAS must be strengthened, not as tools of external powers, but as genuine platforms for conflict resolution and strategic cooperation. A continental policy that prohibits wars between African states, no matter the provocation, would be a landmark step toward lasting peace.
In the face of all odds, the time has come for African leaders to rise. They must embrace the challenge of redefining the continent’s future. This will require courage, sacrifice, and an unshakable commitment to the people they serve. They must shed the legacy of dependency and refuse to be pawns in global power games. They must fight for economic sovereignty, defend the dignity of African lives, and nurture a vision of unity and progress.
If they do, Africa will no longer be the playground of imperialists, but a beacon of strength and self-determination.
The world will finally witness a continent that has kept the imperialists at bay—and risen to take its rightful place on the global stage.
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Agbama is the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Communication and Orientation
