Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Kenyan pan-Africanist and legal scholar, Goodluck Jonathan, alongside Prof. PLO Lumumba, have stressed that Nigeria’s long-term stability and Africa’s global relevance depend heavily on investments in technology, education reform, and strong defence systems.
They made the remarks during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch Law Week plenary held at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) conference hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Jonathan called for a total restructuring of Nigeria’s education system, noting that the country still operates largely on a colonial-era framework that no longer meets modern demands.
He argued that national progress begins with deliberate human capital development and stronger investment in science and technology.
Drawing global comparisons, he pointed to India’s rise in technology and corporate leadership, saying its success was the result of long-term educational planning.
He also recalled initiatives during his presidency, including scholarship programmes aimed at training top Nigerian graduates in advanced global institutions to build capacity in critical sectors.
Jonathan further emphasised that technological innovation must go hand in hand with military strength, insisting that global respect is tied to national capability.
He argued that stronger defence systems are essential for Nigeria’s relevance in a rapidly changing world order.
In his keynote address, Lumumba warned that Africa risks continued marginalisation unless it strengthens its institutions and protects its strategic interests.
He argued that power and influence in global affairs are largely determined by strength, urging African countries to adopt more assertive policies.
He also suggested that deeper integration, stronger legal frameworks, and improved regulatory alignment across African regions are necessary for development.
Lumumba questioned Africa’s dependence on foreign financial systems, advocating for greater economic independence, improved intra-African trade systems, and stronger continental unity.
Chairman of the NBA Yenagoa Branch, Clement Kekemeke, noted that the theme of the Law Week extends beyond legal practice to national development and security concerns.
He highlighted the importance of protecting critical national assets such as oil infrastructure, maritime zones, and public facilities, while acknowledging rising threats from oil theft, piracy, and terrorism.
The event also featured a panel discussion involving key figures from the petroleum sector, the Nigerian Navy, and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), alongside senior members of the legal profession.