Nigeria Must Unite to Lead Africa's Renaissance, Utomi Tells Politicians

Professor Pat Utomi, Chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a strong call to Nigeria's political class. He urged them to set aside personal ambitions and partisan conflicts to foster national unity, asserting that Nigeria must reclaim its historical role as a leader in Africa's political and economic transformation.

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I feel humbled and challenged by this assignment because I know that the future of our country rests on it in very many ways, more than we immediately imagine.

Utomi cautioned that Nigeria cannot command respect across the continent or attract vital investments for continental development if its leaders remain engrossed in personal rivalries and what he termed "political narcissism." Speaking after the inauguration of the NDC's National Reconciliation Committee, the former presidential candidate stressed that the committee's mandate extends beyond resolving internal party disputes. He believes it is fundamentally about cultivating a political culture capable of revitalizing Nigeria and repositioning Africa on the global stage.

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I recently reminded an international audience that 12 individuals in California control more capital than the entire African continent.

"I feel humbled and challenged by this assignment because I know that the future of our country rests on it in very many ways, more than we immediately imagine," Utomi stated. He emphasized that Nigeria's political elite must recognize the immense historical responsibility placed upon the nation as Africa's most populous country. Utomi views reconciliation within parties not merely as an internal exercise but as an essential step toward establishing stable leadership capable of driving economic progress throughout the continent.

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One respected British investment banker argued that Africa lacks the infrastructure to absorb major investments.

Utomi lamented that despite Africa's rich natural resources, large youth population, and significant market potential, the continent is still perceived internationally as a region plagued by instability and missed opportunities. He recounted recent interactions with global policymakers and investors in Geneva, where many expressed doubts about Africa's readiness for investment due to weak infrastructure and persistent political instability. Utomi, however, reframes this challenge as an opportunity, suggesting that investing in Africa's infrastructure could unlock its potential, transforming the continent into a future global powerhouse.

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But rather than seeing that as a setback, we should see it as an opportunity. If that capital is invested in developing Africa’s infrastructure, this continent, with its vast natural resources and youthful population, will become the future.