Former Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called on African leaders to stop celebrating economic growth figures that do not translate into better living conditions for citizens, warning that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expansion without social justice is “hollow progress.”
Speaking on Wednesday at the 65th anniversary of the Ford Foundation in Abuja, Osinbajo lamented that despite Africa’s status as the fastest-growing continent in GDP terms, most of its people still grapple with poor health services, inadequate education, and economic instability.
“Africa has been the fastest growing continent in GDP terms for a while, yet it remains the continent with the lowest overall quality of life,” Osinbajo said.
“GDP growth does not mean development for the majority. It doesn’t necessarily translate into jobs or a decent life for citizens.”
The former vice-president, who chaired Nigeria’s Economic Management Team between 2016 and 2019, said his experience in office revealed how disconnected economic data often is from people’s realities.
“One of my biggest frustrations as vice president was the reaction of citizens whenever we announced GDP growth,” he said.
“People would ask, ‘Do these people live in a different country? I can’t pay my children’s school fees or hospital bills. Where is this growth?’”
He stressed that true development must be measured by how much improvement people feel in their everyday lives — access to education, jobs, healthcare, and safety — rather than abstract statistics.
“For many, the promise of a better life that democracy offers is simply not there,” he said.
“Development must be about the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, where everyone has fair access to opportunities, protection of rights, and resources needed for a dignified life.”
Osinbajo urged African policymakers to abandon the “trickle-down” approach to economic planning and instead embrace inclusive, bottom-up strategies that prioritise the welfare of the majority.
“A social justice framework insists that budgets, investments, and reforms must be designed around the welfare of citizens from the start — not as an afterthought,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. ChiChi Aniagolu, the Ford Foundation’s Regional Director for West Africa, echoed Osinbajo’s view, noting that “social justice is the foundation of thriving societies and inclusive growth.”
She emphasised that sustainable change requires both courage and civic engagement, saying, “Progress is shaped by citizens themselves through active participation in democratic and electoral processes.”
Aniagolu pledged the Ford Foundation’s continued partnership with African stakeholders to promote fairness, equity, and justice across the region.
The event, which marked 65 years of Ford Foundation’s operations, brought together policymakers, development experts, and civic leaders committed to advancing social justice as a tool for sustainable growth.
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