Africa requires enhanced incentives to reduce emigration of talents, says Tinubu

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has urged African leaders to take strategic and deliberate action to stem the exodus of skilled professionals from the continent. Speaking at a dinner held in his honor at the People’s Palace in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Wednesday night, President Tinubu emphasized the need for research and development, backed by appropriate incentives, to retain talent within Africa.

“Why do we complain about healthcare problems when our doctors can’t find a home on our continent? When our nurses face destitution, and our judicial system remains outdated?” President Tinubu remarked, as quoted in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Thursday.

During his three-day official visit, President Tinubu highlighted that Africa’s development will truly begin when the continent starts to seek solutions from within.

“Tribalism has no place in our nations or regions. We must strengthen the continent, cultivate peace together, and support one another,” he said. “We need to harness our resources for progress, find solutions within ourselves, and focus sharply on research and development, rewarding those who contribute. The results must be our own, not outsourced or sold off.”

Addressing international organizations, Tinubu affirmed Africa’s role as a partner but insisted that the continent should implement the majority of research outcomes locally. “We have many young people to care for—millions yearning for progress,” he added.

President Tinubu also expressed his gratitude to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea for the invitation to visit Malabo. “It is a joy to be here, and for me, it feels like a homecoming. We are one single family on this continent, like twins joined at the hip. We have nowhere to go but to hold on to each other,” he said.

He described the gathering as a significant milestone in the history of Africa, particularly for West and Central Africa, and underscored the importance of Africa solving its own problems. “To the world, Africa may seem wretched and full of conflicts, but we say no—peace, stability, and democracy are the way forward for our collective development. We have agreed on this with President Mbasogo.”

Tinubu reiterated his commitment to promoting peace and stability across the continent. “Without peace, there can be no development. Our problem is not a lack of understanding of what needs to be done, but rather the timing and execution. The time is now. We must roll up our sleeves, put on our work clothes, and push strongly for the peace and stability of our continent,” he asserted.

In his remarks, President Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea expressed his deep affection and respect for President Tinubu, warmly welcoming him and his delegation to Malabo. He called for increased collaboration and solidarity between both countries, acknowledging Nigeria’s special place in Equatorial Guinea’s foreign policy.

“We recognize Nigeria’s potential and experience as the largest economy in Africa since 2015, and we consider it one of the great global emerging markets,” President Mbasogo said. “This visit is an opportunity to further strengthen our historical relationship.”

President Mbasogo also emphasized the need for deeper partnerships between the two nations to combat piracy and insecurity, while also working with other African Union members and the United Nations to tackle climate change, food shortages, and terrorism.

Before the dinner, President Tinubu and President Mbasogo signed an agreement on the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline Project, marking a significant step forward in their bilateral relations.