President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized the critical role Nigeria and South Africa play in Africa’s development, urging both nations to strengthen their partnership. Speaking at the opening of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town on Tuesday, Tinubu stated, “The continent looks up to us; we cannot afford to fail it.”
Co-chairing the BNC with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Tinubu highlighted the significance of cooperation between Africa’s two largest economies in reshaping global perceptions of the continent. He urged South Africa to champion Africa’s agenda during its G20 presidency and reiterated Nigeria’s ambition to join the G20 alongside South Africa and the African Union.
“Our successes will change the negative narratives of seeing Africa as a continent mired in poverty and conflict,” Tinubu noted, adding, “If we are vigilant, committed, and persistent, we will surely soar like eagles over the reach of predators.”
Tinubu also stressed the importance of implementing over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed under the BNC framework. “Let us not count our successes by the number of MoUs and agreements signed. They will be mere papers until we implement them in spirit and letters,” he remarked.
The Nigerian president called for leveraging the potential of Africa’s youth, describing them as the continent’s most valuable resource. He concluded by advocating for stronger ties between the two nations to harness this demographic dividend for Africa’s transformation.
