Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has blamed the persistence of long-serving African leaders such as Cameroon’s Paul Biya and Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara on the continent’s weak institutions and lack of democratic accountability.
Saraki, who spoke at the Democracy Union for Africa Forum held in Nairobi, Kenya, said the trend of sit-tight leadership in Africa is a direct result of fragile governance structures that fail to check abuse of power.
“These are not merely political anomalies; they are symptoms of institutional fragility,” he declared.
“It is what allows, for instance, the re-election of Paul Biya in Cameroon at the age of 92, and the perpetuation of political dynasties in countries where power remains concentrated in the hands of a few rather than distributed through accountable systems.”
The former Senate President, who delivered a keynote lecture titled “Navigating Africa’s Strategic Position in a Multipolar World: Towards Equitable and Mutually Beneficial Partnerships,” said Africa’s democracy continues to suffer from the erosion of institutional checks and balances.
He warned that such political stagnation hinders the continent’s development and limits opportunities for its young and vibrant population.
According to him, “The erosion of institutional integrity has had profound consequences. Concentrated power and weak checks allow some leaders to cling to office for decades, often at the expense of national progress.”
Saraki, who also chaired the 8th Nigerian Senate, used the platform to advocate for a new era of African renaissance rooted in self-reliance, visionary leadership, and strategic economic reform.
He decried the continent’s dependence on foreign aid and concessional loans, noting that such arrangements often prioritize donor interests over Africa’s needs.
“In healthcare, for instance, we see programs on HIV/AIDS heavily funded while malaria, which kills more Africans, receives less attention,” he lamented.
Saraki further challenged African countries to transform their economies by processing raw materials locally instead of exporting them unrefined.
“Cocoa, bauxite, shea, and oil represent billions in lost potential annually because raw commodities are exported while value capture stays abroad,” he said. “Strengthening domestic finance, boosting industrialization, and integrating markets are key to unlocking prosperity.”
The former Kwara State governor also emphasized that Africa’s future lies in harnessing its youthful population and vast resources for inclusive growth.
He urged governments to invest in human capital through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, digital skills, and entrepreneurship.
“Human capital is Africa’s greatest asset,” he said. “Investment in innovation will turn the continent from a consumer of ideas into a producer of solutions.”
Saraki called for intra-African trade to rise from its current 14–15 percent to over 50 percent, noting that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers an opportunity to unify markets, strengthen regional value chains, and enhance global competitiveness.
He added that credible elections, independent judiciaries, and ethical leadership are indispensable for achieving Africa’s rebirth.
Saraki concluded with a challenge to Africa’s youth: “Let this be the generation that no longer waits for opportunity but creates it. Africa’s renaissance will come from confidence, capacity, and collective will.”
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